Northern Spire Limited – Jennifer Cruddace, finance and business apprenticeship
North East-based, financial services specialist, Northern Spire Limited, is investing in the future of 16-year-old Jennifer Cruddace, as she joins on a finance and business apprenticeship.
Jennifer, from Red House, Sunderland, who this year completed her GCSEs, gaining an A* in English Language, decided to forgo college in favour of hands-on experience and has already set her sights on training to become a financial advisor.
Northern Spire, which has offices in Sunderland, is a senior partner practice of St James’s Place Wealth Management. It provides a wide range of financial services for clients looking to build, grow, protect or preserve wealth.
Jennifer, said: “I may only be 16 but I have a mature head on my shoulders and I am far more at ease and intellectually stimulated when in the company of adults, rather than fellow teenagers. Most people my age are on auto pilot, they go to college without a clear understanding of why they are studying what they have chosen and then they either leave without further clarity or go to university, picking up a large amount of debt.
“My apprenticeship spans 12-months and I am learning so much from Marti Smiles, trainee paraplanner at the company, and other members of the team. My confidence has sky-rocketed and I know that all the information I am learning at present will help me when I train to become a financial advisor.
“Most people live for the weekend but I wake up everyday with a smile on my face and excited to go to work.”
David Cook, said: “It is easy to forget that Jennifer is just 16-years-old. She has the tenacity and confidence of someone twice her age and a level head that helps her to stay focused at all times.
“Jennifer may say that she feels lucky to be working at Northern Spire but, in truth, it is the company that is lucky to have her. She has an extremely bright future ahead of her and will be a force to reckon with when she gains her qualifications as a financial advisor. I speak for all of the team when I say we are excited to watch her flourish and she is already an extremely valued member.”
Jacksons Law Firm – Rebecca Dawson, associate solicitor
North East law firm Jacksons has appointed associate solicitor, Rebecca Dawson, who returns to Jacksons following four years at a Newcastle based firm. She is familiar with the commercial property team at Jacksons having spent two years working in the department from 2015 until 2017.
Rebecca graduated from Northumbria University with a BSc (Hons) in Building Management and went on to complete her RICS exams in building surveying. She later qualified as a solicitor in 2003 and spent four years at a prominent Newcastle law firm team before moving to an in-house legal role for North East developer, Argon Properties.
Rebecca said, “Everyone at Jacksons has made me really welcome and it almost feels like I have never been away. Most of the commercial property team I worked with before are still here and that in itself speaks volumes about the type of firm Jacksons is.
The partnership is a forward- thinking one which supports its staff in developing their career, with opportunities for everyone. It’s great to be working with a good mix of clients from a wide range of sectors, the department is really busy, the work is very interesting and challenging, just how I like it.“
Partner and head of commercial property, Erica Turner said: “We are delighted to have Rebecca working in the team again. She is an exceptionally talented lawyer and cares passionately about her clients.”
As a result of continued investment and confidence in the North East region, the commercial property team at Jacksons has seen work levels increase significantly over the last 18 months particularly in relation to development and construction related matters.“
Ebac – Graeme McGregor, managing director
North East manufacturer Ebac has appointed Graeme McGregor as its new managing director.
Mr McGregor will work closely with the firm’s founder and chairman, John Elliott, to take advantage of the economic recovery following Covid to build and sell more Ebac products.
He has spent nearly 27 years as a leader with the sustainable technology company Johnson Matthey and over the course of his career has been MD of different Johnson Matthey businesses in the chemical, industrial processes and oil and gas sectors, most recently heading up the new business division. .
He said: “Ebac is exactly the type of business that the North needs to help our economy reach its potential. It is locally owned, with specific objectives in its constitution to deliver manufactured products from factories in County Durham. Its focus is on designing and manufacturing great electrical products that are popular, reliable and affordable in the UK market and beyond.”
Global Procurement Group – Terri Lewis, global talent acquisition director, and Megan Hoffman, global organisational development director
Senior female business leaders Terri Lewis and Megan Hoffman, who specialise in talent acquisition, learning and development, have joined B2B energy consultancy Global Procurement Group.
Terri Lewis has joined as global talent acquisition director, while Megan Hofmann is the company’s new global organisational development director. These appointments follow the successful appointment of Brendan Garvey, chief people officer in August 2021.
Having previously held a position as a consultant within the recruitment division of Newcastle Building Society, as well as national recruitment consultant with EE, she brings 13 years’ experience to the role.
She comments: “It’s exciting to have joined the business at the start of its transformational journey. I love a challenge and it’s great that I will get to have a direct impact on the organisation during this period of change. I have been welcomed and immediately feel that I am part of the vision and mission of the company.”
Megan Hofmann started her career with Orange in the Learning and Development function. She then spent 14 years at Barclays PLC, achieving several promotions to the role of Global Leadership Trainer, with her key focus being to support people learn, develop and reach their full potential.
Megan said: “I have a passion for helping people reach their potential both professionally and personally. I’m excited to be able to join the business at a point in its journey where I can have a substantial impact on the Learning and Development function.”
Brendan Garvey, GPG’s Chief People Officer, said of the appointments, “These are exceptional leaders in their fields and we are delighted as a business to have more extremely talented professionals join us at such an important point in our journey.”
