WEAR BUSINESS
APPOINTMENTS
KAYLEIGH DERBYSHIRE AND HENA SYEDA AHMED , SUNDERLAND BID Sunderland BID has expanded its team with two new appointments .
North Yorkshire-born Kayleigh Derbyshire has taken up the role of marketing and communications assistant , while Hena Syeda Ahmed has been appointed executive assistant and office administrator .
Kayleigh worked in student accommodation and social housing after leaving Sunderland University but discovered a passion for marketing , going back to studying to gain a relevant qualification .
“ I absolutely love Sunderland ,” she said . “ It really is home now and watching how the city has developed in the time I have lived here has been great , so I really wanted to be a part of that development .”
Hena comes to the BID after six years with Sunderland business agency Ashmore Consulting .
A Sunderland University graduate , her experience spans everything from volunteering and community work to customer service , events organising and administrative duties .
“ It ’ s lovely to be part of the BID team and being in a position to help change people ’ s perceptions of Sunderland and show them the experiences the city has to offer ,” she said .
BID chief executive Sharon Appleby said : “ We are heading to one of our busiest years to date , with a packed programme of activities right through to December .
“ Both Kayleigh and Hena know the city well and , even more importantly , have a real passion for Sunderland , and we know they are the perfect fit for the BID .”
30
JOHN HERRING , BUILDING DESIGN NORTHERN Sunderland-based Building Design Northern ( BDN ) has hired John Herring as civil engineer .
John , who holds a bachelor ’ s degree in civil engineering from the University of Nottingham , has spent the last 15 years living in the USA , with several years spent working for international engineering firms in New York and Ohio . In his career , he has worked on multiple high-profile projects , including creating a transportation facility for the Bronx Zoo .
BDN ’ s civil engineering department has ccollaborated on residential and commercial developments with leading firms including Taylor Wimpey , Miller Homes , British Steel and Ashcourt Group .
John said : “ I am delighted to join the BDN team and be part of an ambitious company in my home town .”
John is the latest recruit to the 23-strong team , whose HQ is in the Old School , Simpson Street School , which has recently completed a £ 1m renovation , housing eight luxury loft apartments alongside BDN ’ s head office .
Director of engineering Andrew Webb said : “ John ’ s experience and extensive skillset will positively complement the department , allowing us to continue providing our clients with the quality and technical expertise they ’ ve come to expect from BDN .”
CHRIS BALMER , AR POWER A Wearside family-run renewable energy business is celebrating 10 years at the forefront of its sector by appointing a new director and installing state-of-the-art solar technology on one of the region ’ s most iconic buildings .
Advanced Renewable Power ( AR Power ), based in Washington , is run by husband and wife team Mark and Maria Dunville , who started the business in 2011 from a small office in Newcastle .
The business has grown exponentially with impressive order books , a forecast tripling of turnover and a current workforce of 28 . It has also changed its focus from domestic to commercial solar installations . AR Power is a leading installer of solar photovoltaic battery storage in the region and is an accredited installer for Tesla battery systems .
With a background in engineering , the firm has recently appointed its head of operations Chris Balmer as operations director , a position Washington-born Chris relishes . One of his first major projects was to manage the installation of 11 solar systems at key buildings owned by Newcastle City Council , including swimming pools and other public buildings .
Chris and his team are also responsible for providing a state-of-the-art solar system to one of the most iconic buildings in Newcastle , the Theatre Royal .
DR FAYE SEDGEWICK , BUILDING DESIGN NORTHERN Building Design Northern ( BDN ) has partnered with Northumbria University to