This week's round-up of appointments and promotions across the North East features notable moves at Maven Capital Partners, Learning Curve Group, Classic Masonry, Pacifica Group, and Bernicia.
Maven Capital Partners Strengthens North East Team
Fund manager Maven Capital Partners has made two new appointments to its North East team. Katie Bohill joins as an investment manager, responsible for deal origination and execution across the region. She previously spent three years in EY's audit team, where she worked with some of the region's largest public limited companies and qualified as an ACA chartered accountant.
Niall Choat also joins as an investment manager from FRP Corporate Finance, where he advised on mid-market mergers and acquisitions and capital raising transactions across multiple sectors. His prior roles include positions at Aspire Technology Solutions, RSM, and Deloitte, giving him broad experience in advising growth businesses and their stakeholders.
Michael Vassallo, partner at Maven Capital Partners, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Katie and Niall to Maven. Both bring excellent investment and corporate finance experience and are highly complementary to our existing team. These appointments continue to strengthen our presence in the North East, underpinning our long-term commitment to the region and our confidence in the quality and depth of opportunities available across our thriving ecosystem.”
Learning Curve Group Appoints New CEO
Durham-based training provider Learning Curve Group has appointed Tracey Fletcher-Ray as its new chief executive officer. Her career includes senior leadership roles at organisations including ICI, Barclays, and Bupa, before most recently leading a national specialist education group.
Ms Fletcher-Ray said: "What has stood out to me already about Learning Curve Group is the passion of colleagues and the strong sense of purpose across the organisation. I’m excited to be joining at such an important stage in the organisation’s journey and look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place. My focus will be on continuing to support quality, culture and sustainable growth, ensuring Learning Curve Group continues to make a meaningful impact for learners, employers and communities."
Classic Masonry Adds Business Development Admin
Stonemasonry and architectural precast concrete specialist Classic Masonry has appointed Joe Pearson as business development admin. Mr Pearson, 35, from Newcastle, joins the North Shields-based company. He was formerly an operations assistant at Wates Group and office manager at Sir Robert McAlpine for nearly 12 years. In his new role, he will analyse company data, organising and optimising it to improve quality and maximise usability for growth.
Mr Pearson said: "Having previously worked with tier 1 contractors, I wanted the opportunity to look at things with a different perspective – that of a subcontractor lens. Classic Masonry has an excellent reputation and the team is very focused and hands on. This is an opportunity to make a difference and really put my stamp on the role. I am looking to streamline and rationalise company data making it more user friendly while also ensuring we are compliant for procurement."
Pacifica Promotes Vikki Weston to Chief People Officer
Household appliance repair firm Pacifica has promoted Vikki Weston to the newly created role of chief people officer. Previously group HR director, Ms Weston will now take on a broader strategic role across the business, focusing on how Pacifica’s people, culture, training, and leadership development directly support customer service, operational performance, and business growth.
She joined Pacifica in 2012 as group human resources manager and has since overseen the expansion of the workforce, leadership development programmes, and initiatives to improve employee engagement across Pacifica’s nationwide operations. In her new role, she will focus on ensuring Pacifica staff feel supported, listened to, and equipped to deliver high standards of service.
Ms Weston said: "This role is about taking a much broader view of how our people shape the success of Pacifica. HR will always remain incredibly important, but this position is about looking more holistically at the entire employee experience and how that links directly to customer service, operational excellence and business growth."
Bernicia Promotes Ryan Irving-Carr to Director of Assets and Growth
North East housing association Bernicia has strengthened its senior leadership team with the promotion of Ryan Irving-Carr. The 35-year-old joined Bernicia 14 years ago and has progressed internally, with his leadership talent said to have been spotted early. He has been promoted to director of assets and growth, leading a multi-disciplined team managing the condition of Bernicia’s 14,000 homes, delivering safe and decent standard homes, and installing energy-saving technology.
Mr Irving-Carr, who will work alongside executive director of assets and growth David Pye, said: "It’s really exciting to get the opportunity to work in such a strategic role and help empower my team to deliver the safe, high-quality homes that make such a positive difference to our tenants’ lives. I’d like to thank David in particular, along with the executive team, my own team and many other colleagues, for their ongoing support. Bernicia’s collaborative culture is what underpins its success. That complete and rounded approach has been invaluable to my career progression, giving me a comprehensive overview of what our tenants and communities need."
