WEAR BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS
KAT MOODY , RICHARD REED SOLICITORS The increased demand for their services and the launch of an innovative scheme to give employment law and HR advice has led to a new appointment at a leading Wear legal practice .
Richard Reed Solicitors , based at Frederick Street in Sunderland , has been joined by experienced dispute resolution and employment law solicitor , Kat Moody .
Kat , originally from Sunderland , has come to Richard Reed from a Peterlee law firm and will now work alongside directors Barry Wood and Phil Moir as part of the dispute resolution team .
The solicitor has worked for both private and commercial clients on a range of issues including employment law , professional negligence , debt recovery , landlord and tenant work and contested probate and will be bringing these skills to Richard Reed .
At the same time she will also be at the forefront of driving the firm ’ s RR Protect initiative , which offers employment law and HR advice and support for an affordable fixed monthly fee .
Kat believes it is more important than ever for businesses to have sound employment law advice available to them , particularly in a post-Covid world where hybrid and home working have become the norm .
“ The on-going impact of the pandemic means that employers have to take into consideration their staff ’ s health or what might be an employee ’ s disability ,” said Kat .
“ As well as having to comply with health and safety regulations for their staff , employers must also be careful that they are not discriminating against someone who has a disability – which can cover a multitude of conditions .
“ Having the ability to get proper legal
30 advice and support is what RR Protect is all about and it ’ s very exciting for me to work in this area .”
She added : “ As someone who is originally from Sunderland , I was very keen to come back and work in the city and when the opportunity came to join Richard Reed I didn ’ t hesitate .”
Partner Phil Moir added : “ Our dispute resolution and employment law department is getting increasingly busy and with the launch of RR Protect , we are already seeing a number of businesses getting on board who recognise the value of this service .
“ It ’ s the perfect time to have someone with the experience and knowledge that Kat has becoming part of our team and we know she will be a huge asset .”
JOE ROUTLEDGE , THE NORTH EAST AUTOMOTIVE ALLIANCE The North East Automotive Alliance ( NEAA ) is gearing up for another successful year , with the appointment of Joe Routledge as membership manager .
Joe will be responsible for managing a number of the NEAA membership accounts , as well as developing new member relationships and supporting the delivery of various funded programmes .
Having spent the past nine years working within the North-East automotive and wider manufacturing sector , including with NEAA research and development tax credits partner , Lumo , Joe has built a wealth of contacts and strong relationships .
Launched in March 2015 to support the economic , sustainable growth and competitiveness of the sector in the North- East of England , the NEAA has over 300 cluster participants , is the largest automotive cluster in the UK and one of the fastestgrowing clusters across Europe .
RACHEL BRADLEY AND ANDY JOHNSON , HELLENS GROUP A Washington-based regeneration firm has welcomed two new financial managers to its ranks .
Hellens Group – the property , construction and regeneration specialist with offices based in Washington and Stocktonon-Tees – has made the double appointment to oversee both the group and its Oakdale manufacturing business .
Rachel Bradley , who joined the team at Hellens Residential while she was still a student at Northumbria University , was promoted to group finance manager after undertaking a number of managerial roles for the company , including business development manager and finance manager for Hellens Residential .
Andy Johnson completed his chartered accountancy exams at age 21 and has worked exclusively with local family owned and managed entrepreneurial businesses .
Andy will initially be focused on Hellens Group ’ s trading subsidiary , Oakdale Contracts , which operates out of Catterick manufacturing innovative hard landscaping concrete products , with a market leading focus on sustainability .
ALLISON THOMPSON , SOUTH TYNESIDE AND SUNDERLAND NHS FOUNDATION TRUST A woman who has steered businesses to success has spoken with pride about the dedication of NHS staff after her appointment as the new chair at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust ( STSFT ).
Allison ’ s appointment comes after current chair , John Anderson CBE , confirmed he would be retiring from the role after 14 years of service .