People on the move: key appointments and promotions of the week

Sunderland-based housing association Gentoo Group has appointed Ellen Thinnesen and Hannah Pollard as its newest two board members.

Ms Thinnesen is currently chief executive at Sunderland College and Education Partnership North East and has 23 years experience in the further education sector, 10 years in hospital, health and social care sectors and currently chairs the North East LEP Skills Advisory Panel. Ms Pollard is head of accounting and reporting for EDF Renewables UK and has more than 12 years’ experience in finance. She began her early career with Deloitte in Newcastle working across the public, private and charity sector before joining the housing sector working for the UK’s largest listed landlord, Grainger plc.

Ms Thinnesen said: “Both housing and education have a deep social purpose and there is great synergy between Gentoo and the work of the further education sector. As part of a values focussed governance function, I am looking forward to supporting Gentoo in the delivery of its ambitious vision and strategic goals for the people and communities of Sunderland.”

Ms Pollard added: “The fact Gentoo is committed to Sunderland and focuses on both the people and place aiming to positively impact the whole community is unique and commendable. I believe that Gentoo can make a difference and help to improve tenants’ homes and lives whilst also tackling environmental impact. I’m excited to see how the Group can achieve net zero targets coupled with financial and digital transformation.”

Virgin Money Business has appointed three new strategic finance team members in Yorkshire and the North East.

Jonathan Fletcher and Charlie Treloar join as relationship managers in the commercial team and Rich Hartley has joined as a director in the acquisition finance team.

Mr Fletcher and Mr Treloar both join from other teams within the business, while Mr Hartley has carried out a variety of roles across the financial services sector over an eight-year career to date. They will be responsible for supporting businesses by providing specialist products and lending solutions to facilitate business acquisition, growth and investment needs where total commitments typically range from £1.5m to £25m.

John Bullock, head of strategic finance for Yorkshire and North East, said: “Jonathan, Charlie and Rich are three strong additions to our growing Yorkshire and North East Strategic Finance team, supporting our focus on funding dynamic, high growth businesses across the commercial, corporate and structured finance markets. With a track record you can trust, we’re committed to growing our customer base through providing well thought out and tailored funding to help local businesses thrive.”

Igloo has appointed a dedicated director and senior development manager to lead the team and manage its community and climate-positive projects. Joe Broadley joins as development director to oversee existing projects like Stephenson Quarter and the Pioneer, whilst also looking for expansion opportunities across the North of England. He joins from Bruntwood, where he was head of development for 12 years. Insiyah Khushnood has been appointed as senior development manager, joining from Homes England where she was senior acquisition manager.

Mr Broadley said: “igloo is going through an incredible period of growth, which I am excited to be a part of, and its dedication to sustainable and socially responsible property development strongly resonates with my own personal principles. I am thrilled to be able to make a contribution to igloo’s mission to drive positive impact through the development of mixed-use communities across the North.”

Ms Khusknood added: “To be part of a business that is both innovative and ethical in its creation of sustainable and lasting developments and communities, is something I am really proud of. igloo’s schemes have a lasting positive impact, not only to the immediate area but also wider social and economic impact through good design and stewardship.”

Gateshead retailer Vertu Motors has appointed Jonathan Mark Mewett to its board as an independent non-executive director.

Mr Mewett is currently the chief executive officer of Screwfix, part of the Kingfisher plc group and is a member of the executive team at Kingfisher plc, responsible for the development of the Screwfix business across the UK, Ireland and France. With over 25 years retail experience he has held previous roles as Screwfix’s marketing director and digital director, and as group digital director of its parent Kingfisher plc.

Andy Goss, chairman of Vertu said: “We are delighted to welcome John to the board of Vertu. He is an excellent addition having substantial multi-channel retailing experience in UK Retail and will add value to the existing board.”

Mr Mewett added: “I have been very impressed by the clarity of strategy and strong momentum at Vertu Motors under the current management team and I am delighted to be joining the board.”

A North East campaigner for diversity and inclusion has joined forces with one of the region’s oldest societies.

Nitin Shukla, who is programme lead – equality, diversity and inclusion at the office of the police and crime commissioner, has become an ambassador for the Northumberland and Newcastle Society (the N&N). For almost a century, the Society has played a pivotal role in preserving the heritage, culture and landscape of the city and county. It liaises with councils, heritage groups and developers to not only preserve the best of the built environment, but to look at ways of making existing buildings sustainable for future use.

Mr Shukla joins the Lord Mayor of Newcastle upon Tyne, Coun Veronica Dunn and Her Grace The Duchess of Northumberland, Lord Lieutenant of Northumberland, among others. He said: “I am honoured to join their ranks. The North East has been my home for 50 years and that heritage is very important to me; this place is part of me and my identity. There are many others like me who have made this city and county their home and I hope that in my new role with the N&N I can help them recognise a sense of place and belonging – because it’s a very special place to call home.”

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