North East Business Leaders: New Appointments and Promotions Announced
Several prominent companies and organisations across the North East have announced significant leadership changes and appointments this week. The moves involve key figures at Muckle LLP, Noted Aromas, Bellway, hedgehog lab, and the North East Housing Partnership, reflecting ongoing strategic developments in the region's business sector.
Digital Agency hedgehog lab Appoints New Chair
Digital products agency hedgehog lab has appointed Julian Leighton as its new chair. Mr. Leighton brings nearly three decades of technology experience to the consultancy role. His career began with IBM business partners before he co-founded the digital agency Orange Bus, which grew to employ 150 people and was later sold to FTSE100 company Capita.
After serving on the board of Capita Software until 2020, Julian reunited with Orange Bus partner Mike Parker to help develop software company Therion in its early stages. He currently runs his own consultancy, providing non-executive director support, advisory services, and mentorship to established businesses seeking growth. He was recently appointed as a non-executive director at Newcastle creative agency Different Narrative.
"Orange Bus and hedgehog lab started around the same time – and, in fact, we were even in the same building during the early years," Mr. Leighton said. "I was always aware of its success and potential, so when the opportunity to get involved with the company came up, it immediately felt like a good fit."
Noted Aromas Welcomes New Chair Following Management Buyout
Private equity investor NVM has appointed Susanne Given as the new chair of Noted Aromas, a fragrance company recently backed in a £31 million management buyout. Ms. Given takes up the role with the aim of building the company's market share, bringing extensive experience in brand building, retail, ecommerce, and direct-to-consumer businesses.
Her career includes significant roles at Outfittery, SuperDry, TK Maxx, and Morrisons, where she supported companies through periods of scale and transformation. Drawing on her international expertise, Ms. Given will support Megan and the executive team with Noted Aromas' global expansion plans, with the European Union market identified as a potential first region for launch later this year.
"Noted. Aromas is a brand with a clear value proposition and strong momentum," Ms. Given said. "I am delighted to have been appointed by NVM and excited to work alongside Megan and the team."
Muckle LLP Appoints New Qualified Solicitor
Law firm Muckle LLP has appointed Anna Glover as a new qualified solicitor to its sports, education, and charities team. Ms. Glover joined Muckle in 2022 as a paralegal in the construction team before moving to the sports, education, and charities team in 2023. She qualified via the Solicitor Qualifying Examination (SQE) route, a new standardised exam for becoming a solicitor.
She studied English Literature at Edinburgh University before completing a law conversion course at Northumbria University. "I’m over the moon to qualify into the sports, education and charities team," Ms. Glover said. "I studied for the SQE alongside working full-time, so it’s very satisfying to have that hard work pay off and to reach this milestone."
"I love the problem-solving element and getting to work with such interesting people. I’m excited to work with a broad range of clients across all three sectors, as well as developing my knowledge on the education side, including working on tribunal claims and helping schools with people-related queries."
Bellway Names New Head of Construction for North East Division
Housebuilder Bellway has appointed Ben Singlewood as the new head of construction at its North East division on a permanent basis. Mr. Singlewood had held the position in an interim capacity since May of last year. Based at the division's head office in Gateshead, he will be responsible for sites across Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, and County Durham.
He became a site manager in 2011, working in Darlington, Durham, and Washington. Between 2014 and 2016, he served as senior site manager at Stannington Park, a regeneration project on the former St. Mary's Hospital site in Stannington, Northumberland. For this work, he won a prestigious Pride in the Job Quality Award from the National House Building Council (NHBC).
"We have a ‘customer first’ policy that is part of the company ethos," Mr. Singlewood said. "This is massive for the success of the business and for customer feedback."
North East Housing Partnership Appoints New Chair
The North East Housing Partnership, a collaborative group of 19 social housing providers in the region, has appointed John Johnston as its new chair. Mr. Johnston, who serves as chief executive of Bernicia, brings 40 years of experience in housing to the role. He previously served as the partnership's vice chair for three years.
He will help guide the partnership through its next phase of delivery, focusing on four key themes outlined in its refreshed 2026 prospectus:
- Development and regeneration
- Quality of homes and investment
- Better lives, skills, and inclusion
- Homelessness, specialist, and supported housing
Mr. Johnston takes over from Karbon Homes' chief executive Paul Fiddaman, who will step down from the role in April after three years. "The North East Housing Partnership has been on a fantastic journey over the last three years," Mr. Johnston said. "We mobilised to work together and collaborate, and to support our Combined Authority and local authority partners in the delivery of ambitious growth plans that are unlocking the potential of our region and improving living standards for the regions people."
