People on the move: North East appointments and promotions of the week

Newcastle accountancy and business advisory firm UNW has strengthened its corporate finance team with the appointment of Naomi Townsend as senior manager.

Ms Townsend studied Law at the University of Leeds before joining KPMG Newcastle in 2014, where she gained experience across audit and corporate finance over seven years. In 2021, she joined mid-market private equity firm LDC as investment manager and she was named ‘Young Financier of the Year’ at the North East Young Professionals Awards in 2022.

She said: “I’ve always admired UNW’s reputation – not just for the quality of its work but for how it supports its people. Having worked alongside the team in various capacities over the years, I could see first hand how much trust clients place in them, and I’m excited to now be part of that.

“UNW has built a fantastic corporate finance team, and I’m looking forward to working with ambitious businesses across the region, helping them navigate their growth opportunities. I’m also really pleased to be working with Chris Wilson and Nick Broadhead again, having previously worked together at KPMG. This is an exciting new chapter for me, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Her appointment follows Jack McCullagh’s move to the corporate finance team as an executive in January after previously working in UNW’s audit department.

Chris Wilson, partner and head of corporate finance at UNW, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome both Naomi and Jack to the team. Naomi’s extensive experience and proven track record in dealmaking – as both an advisor and an investor – will offer a unique perspective and provide immediate value to our clients. At UNW, we’ve consistently stated that we want to provide the highest quality advice to our clients and having the best and most experienced people is a big part of that strategy.

“We are also committed to creating opportunities for talent to develop and progress. Jack’s recent move from audit to corporate finance is a great example of how the firm invests in its people and offers varied career paths. With Naomi and Jack on board, our team is stronger than ever as we head into another exciting and busy year.”

Newton Aycliffe offshore specialist Tekmar Group plc has appointed Marc Bell, current managing director of Tekmar Energy, as chief operating officer. Mr Bell has almost 25 years of experience of business leadership experience and has spent the past 15 years in the global energy sector, holding key roles in offshore wind and subsea industries.

Before joining Tekmar, Mr Bell held senior roles including global operations director for JDR Cables, head of offshore wind UKI for Siemens Gamesa, and global manufacturing manager for Technip Umbilicals. In his new role he will take on the leadership of Pipeshield in addition to his responsibilities with Tekmar Energy.

Richard Turner, CEO of Tekmar Group, said: “We are delighted to appoint Marc Bell into the role of chief operating officer of Tekmar, at a pivotal point in the company’s growth journey. Marc has a wealth of experience in the global energy sector, and in his current role as managing director of Tekmar Energy, he has been instrumental in achieving a number of key strategic milestones for the group and building it into the frontrunner for cable protection technology today.

“This appointment marks another step forward in the execution of our three-year plan to create a step change in profit performance and drive sustainable value creation at Tekmar. We look forward to working with Marc in his new role to continue to execute on our growth strategy and deliver value for our shareholders.”

Law firm for businesses, Muckle LLP , has appointed Joe Millar as a solicitor in its real estate team. Mr Millar brings experience in residential and commercial property from his time at a major UK law firm in Leeds. He will now will play a key role in strengthening Muckle’s real estate services across the North East and Teesside.

He said: “I’ve always been really interested in property—it was one of the first areas I got into after finishing my LPC masters degree at Leeds Beckett. I kept building on that experience while working as a chartered legal executive before finally qualifying as a solicitor last year. I joined Muckle because I was ready for a change. The firm’s wide range of high-quality work and its strong commitment to supporting and valuing its people were what drew me here.”

“The team at Muckle is really approachable and knowledgeable, and there’s always a good atmosphere in the office. It feels good to be back in the North East, serving clients in a region I know and love.”

Jonathan Combe, partner and head of real estate, said: “We’re delighted to start the new year by welcoming Joe to the team. His background in property and knowledge of the area will be invaluable in supporting clients across both the public and private sectors. We’re always exploring ways to develop and enhance the services we can provide. We’re excited to see the positive impact Joe will have in driving our real estate practice forward.”

The Alnwick Garden has appointed a new head gardener who was personally headhunted by the Duchess of Northumberland. Mikey Leach was approached and interviewed for the role by the Duchess, Jane Percy, who came across his work after looking for the right person to fill the role. His career caught her attention and includes working in private gardens designed by Tom Stuart-Smith to working alongside renowned gardener Monty Don at Longmeadow Gardens.

Mr Leach, who oversees a team of 11 gardeners, said:“In my new role as head gardener, I am passionate about building on The Garden’s rich history while exploring innovative approaches to horticulture, ensuring the venue continues to inspire and engage visitors for years to come. I find real satisfaction in knowing that my work creates spaces where people can connect with the natural world, experience its beauty, and take a moment to pause and reflect. It’s this connection between plants, people, and places that makes my role so meaningful.”

Azets has appointed Jodie Barwick-Bell as a private client tax partner in the North East, advising families with complex tax affairs. Ms Barwick-Bell is a highly experienced private client tax adviser and has a specialism in family offices. Her career includes Evelyn Partners, Deloitte and KPMG, as well as running family offices.

She said: “There is clear demand for strategic advice from multigenerational families with complex tax affairs in the North East, with Azets well-positioned to provide a range of services under one roof and a holistic, joined-up strategy. The North East region has nearly 193,000 companies – many are owned and run by business owners who have not yet agreed a succession plan.

“Given the recently announced IHT changes which take effect from April 2026, this year is a particularly important time for business owners to obtain tax advice and plan for the future.”

Brian Laidlaw, Azets’ head of North East, said: “This is another exciting appointment for us at Azets in the North East – we have spoken about the ongoing drive to recruit senior hires and support regional businesses and their owners through the full growth lifecycle. Jodie brings considerable personal tax experience in advising private clients with varied business and investment interests, supporting them with tax, investment structuring, succession planning, trusts and philanthropy, dovetailing with our other specialist service lines.”

SPG Resourcing has appointed Sham Chohan to lead the growth of its European cyber security recruitment division. With an extensive background in technology recruitment, Mr Chohan brings expertise in the technology and security sectors. His appointment signals SPG Resourcing’s commitment to addressing the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals across Europe.

He said: “The cyber security landscape is evolving rapidly, and organisations need access to the right talent to stay ahead of emerging threats. SPG Resourcing has built a strong reputation in technology recruitment. I’m excited to lead the cyber security division, further expanding our capabilities and connecting businesses with the expertise they need.”