WEAR BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS
PACIFICA GROUP Dozens of jobs for young people are set to be created in Houghton-le-Spring .
Pacifica Group , one of the UK ' s leading domestic energy and appliance services providers , has recruited 10 young people already and plans to take on another 59 staff aged 16-24 through the government ’ s £ 2bn Kickstart Scheme .
The national home services company , which undertakes 310,000 appliance repair home visits every year , is welcoming the new recruits with the support of MINT Business Club , a government-approved gateway provider for the scheme .
Pacifica , which has its head office at Rainton Business Park in Houghton , has taken on Kickstarters for roles including administrator , eco agent , engineer van stock assistant , trainee admin assistant , service desk office juniors , site maintenance operative , trainee sales agent and labourer .
SHEREE RYMER , SUNDERLAND COLLEGE Sunderland College has appointed a new faculty director to lead its digital and creative provision into an exciting and ambitious future .
Sheree Rymer has taken up the role following a rigorous selection process and replaces Jane Reed who has been appointed campus principal at Hartlepool Sixth Form .
Sheree has successfully progressed through coordination and leadership roles where she has used her creative knowledge and skills to drive community connected learning and inspire the next generation of children and young people .
Sheree will also work in partnership with the college ’ s newly-appointed strategic lead for digital skills and learning innovation , Dan Fitzpatrick , who will drive the college ’ s digital transformation and ambitious plans
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to become a digital industry-leader over the coming years .
RICHARD PATTINSON , MAXIM FM One of the region ’ s largest independent contract cleaning and facilities management firm has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of a new finance director .
Richard Pattinson is bringing two decades ’ commercial experience to his new role with Maxim Facilities Management and is now responsible for all the financial and commercial aspects of the Sunderlandheadquartered firm ’ s operations .
Richard began his career in the Newcastle office of ‘ Big Four ’ business advisory firm Deloitte before moving to London to work in the practice ’ s national corporate finance team .
He has successfully run businesses in the marine and hospitality sectors , and most recently acted as a senior advisor to the board at County Durham-headquartered technology firm Kromek Group .
RACHEL SMITH , NATIONAL GLASS CENTRE One of Sunderland ’ s most popular visitor attractions has appointed Rachel Smith as its new director .
The Glass Centre , at the entrance to the university ’ s St Peter ’ s Riverside Campus on the north bank of the River Wear , attracts more than 200,000 visitors a year and is home to an internationally renowned glass and ceramics department which attracts glassmakers and students from all over the world .
Rachel moved from a role as head of alumni and development at the university to take up the post . She previously worked at another prominent cultural venue – the Tyneside Cinema – during its major redevelopment programme in 2007-2009 .
In her role as director , Rachel will bring together the different departments and users of the building – which includes the iconic Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art on its ground floor .
SHARON GWATI- MUDZUDZU , HICOMPLY A Durham company seeking to lead the way in helping organisations protect and secure their data has strengthened its team with a new appointment .
Hicomply ’ s software platform allows businesses to build an information security management system along with keeping their data safe , which has won them clients in the UK and internationally .
And now the company is hoping to grow its reputation still further after bringing on board search engine optimisation ( SEO ) expert Sharon Gwati-Mudzudzu .
Sharon , from Carlisle , initially trained as a web designer but over the years has honed her skills to become in demand for both her technical skills and strategic planning for a range of companies .
MATTHEW ALLMOND AND TOM HARVEY , NORTHERN SPIRE Financial services specialist Northern Spire has announced two new appointments , Matthew Allmond as a financial advisor and Tom Harvey as a marketing executive .
Matthew , 29 , qualified as a financial advisor in April 2019 having previously worked as an occupational pension analyst and paraplanner . He will focus on servicing the company ’ s growing client base .
Tom , 22 , who has a background in business and finance , has been brought in to develop marketing leads and coordinate events . With the support of Northern Spire , he is also training to become a financial advisor .