A round-up of new appointments from around the Wear business scene …
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DEAN COOK , ARLINGTON REAL ESTATE Arlington Real Estate has announced the promotion of Dean Cook to managing director , enabling him to lead the next stage of delivery of the DurhamGate masterplan .
Dean has been instrumental in the development of DurhamGate , which is five miles south of Durham City , contributing to key elements of the 85-acre site , and is now developing the next phase of the masterplan , which will be unveiled in the near future .
Before joining County Durham-based Arlington Real Estate from the construction sector , Dean was involved in the delivery of LIVIN ’ s headquarters at DurhamGate as well as Freemans Reach in Durham City and Seaham Health Centre .
Dean succeeds Arlington founder Allan Cook , who becomes executive chairman , allowing him to focus on the company ’ s £ 150m Milburngate development in Durham City as well as the strategic growth of the business .
KAREN WHITING , AZETS Accountancy SME advisors Azets has appointed Karen Whiting to strengthen its tax advisory offering in the region .
Karen has joined the firm as an associate director from another professional services firm in the region .
She will be based in Azets ’ Durham office , covering the firm ’ s eight offices in the North- East .
Karen has more than 22 years ’ experience of providing complex and specialist tax advice to individuals , businesses , trusts and estates .
PETER HUGHES , SAGGEZZA Wear-based tech consultancy Saggezza UK has announced the appointment of former EY and
Cisco director Peter Hughes as programme director .
Peter , who boasts over 20 years ’ experience working in senior tech roles across the globe , joined the company following its acquisition by Silicon Valley tech giant Infostretch earlier in 2021 .
The acquisition will see Saggezza significantly ramp up its recruitment efforts over the next 12 months , with the creation of scores of jobs across its operations .
Peter was born and raised in the North- East before going on to travel the globe during the course of his career and will join the company in a hybrid capacity , splitting his time between his home office and the company ’ s Sunderland HQ .
PAUL DARBY , DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL A new corporate director of resources has been appointed at Durham County Council .
Paul Darby , who had held the interim role since December 2020 , has been appointed on a permanent basis .
Paul started his career at Sedgefield Borough Council in 1987 , before moving to Durham City Council in 2007 to become director of finance .
Born and raised in County Durham , he is responsible for a number of frontline services , including the council ’ s revenues and benefits services , registrars and Customer Access Points .
LAURA FARLEY , CREO COMMS Sunderland-based communication consultancy Creo Comms has appointed a new agency manager to help drive forward the growth of the business , after seeing increased demand for its services .
Laura Farley joins the city centre agency with over 10 years ’ experience working in marcomms , events , sales and people management .
Laura will be responsible for the smooth running of Creo Comms and ensure the business has the right systems and processes in place to maintain exceptional standards of customer care and services to its clients .
JUDITH FALLA , ANTHONY MCDERMOTT AND ALEX GOODCHILD , NORTH EAST BIC The North-East Business and Innovation Centre ’ s ( BIC ) social enterprise team , which supports new and established social enterprises , has welcomed three talented new members .
Judith Falla , Anthony McDermott and Alex Goodchild bring new expertise to the team , which provides specialist business advice to social enterprises at all stages of development , from start-up to growth phase , to long-established .
With 30 years ’ experience in organisations including Business Link and in the charity sector , social enterprise business adviser Judith specialises in change management , business strategy , new business development and business planning .
In her new role with the BIC , she supports social enterprises in Sunderland , providing advice and guidance , coaching and specialist support tailored to social enterprises at all stages of development , including pre-start and growth .
Alex joined the BIC ’ s social enterprise team as an administrator . A graduate in Performing Arts with a Master ’ s degree in Media Production , Alex , from Sunderland , joins the BIC from direct delivery retail giant Ocado .
Social enterprise business adviser Anthony , also from Sunderland , is an award-winning fundraising and marketing professional .
A former medic in the armed forces , he has worked in the corporate event , charity , marketing and advertising industries .
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