Issue 2 | Page 40

WEAR BUSINESS APPOINTMENTS CHARLOTTE TOPPING AND JEMMA CAVANA-COLE, CYBERWHITE A cybersecurity firm based in Seaham has welcomed two new business development managers to its team as part of its continued growth. Charlotte Topping and Jemma Cavana- Cole join the firm, bringing with them a wealth of sales and customer service experience. Charlotte spent over a decade in the cybersecurity industry, before spending a couple of years out of the industry working in recruitment, so is delighted to be back. Jemma has previously worked in customer service and sales roles for many years before becoming a team leader in the chemical manufacturing sector. CyberWhite recently invested more than £40,000 in business infrastructure, including a complete refresh of its website and renovation of its office facilities. Jemma and Charlotte will be responsible for engaging with new clients to develop new business, as well as supporting existing CyberWhite clients. ROB GWYTHER, SAGGEZZA Growing tech firm Saggezza has appointed Rob Gwyther as operations director as it looks to drive ongoing expansion. The Sunderland Software Centrebased company, which has continued its recruitment efforts during the pandemic, has appointed Rob into a role which will see him report directly into the company’s UK managing director Martin Williams. Rob, a senior IT and technology leader, has more than 15 years' experience in the field and his work has focused on shaping and delivering complex technical solutions and transformations. Originally from Bristol, he has built a career in the North-East, and worked with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors, both in the UK and internationally. His breadth of experience ranges from complex programme delivery to developing new business services and he is a specialist in healthcare innovation. CALLUM FISHWICK, KRAFTWERX An industrial placement has been the key for unlocking a future career for East Durham College student Callum Fishwick, who has now secured employment at Seahambased engineering firm Kraftwerx as an engineering apprentice. At East Durham College, many Level 2 and 3 course programmes include Industry Placements – substantial periods of work experience where learners will gain valuable experience at a local business, developing their practical and technical skills while learning from experienced staff members. It is the aim of the programme to help learners with their transition into full-time, paid employment, an apprenticeship, or to move on to other options in further or higher education. Callum is studying Level 2 engineering at East Durham College. GILLIAN HALL, NORTH EAST LEP The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed Gillian Hill as the new chair of its innovation board. Gillian, who has more than 25 years’ experience as a business owner, nonexecutive director and corporate lawyer, will lead the Innovation Board as it seeks to create more and better jobs in the North- East. Innovation is one of the areas of focus within the North-East Strategic Economic Plan, which lays out the roadmap for creating a more productive economy in the region and creating 100,000 more and better jobs in the North-East by 2024. The Innovation team at the North East LEP works with partners to grow the amount of research and development taking place in the North East and to attract investment into the region. The North East LEP innovation board is made up of representatives from the region’s local authorities, academia and industry. The North East LEP itself is a public, private, and education sector partnership that covers the Sunderland, Durham, South Tyneside, Gateshead, Newcastle, Northumberland and North Tyneside local authority areas. ANNALIESE BARBER, RICHARD REED SOLICITORS An experienced solicitor is celebrating a new role at a leading Sunderland law firm, following 24 years with her previous firm. Richard Reed Solicitors, based at Frederick Street in Sunderland, has welcomed Annaliese Barber as its new private client solicitor, to assist with a variety of legal matters including wills, trusts and Court of Protection work. And the firm expects Annaliese to be a particular asset to its clients due to her