Laws hits new heights

Jan 15 2008 By The Journal

NEWCASTLE International Airport has announced the appointment of Dave Laws as its new chief executive. Mr Laws has been with the airport for more than 28 years, starting his career as a fire officer and then rising through many areas of the business including health and safety, personnel, passenger services, aeronautical relations and commercial.

Most recently, Mr Laws has held the post of chief operating officer, during a period that has seen the successful commencement of the new Emirates services, the unveiling of a new air traffic control tower, and the airport’s busiest ever summer period.

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JONATHAN Blair, head of corporate recovery and a partner for 10 years, has been appointed the new managing partner at North-East law firm Dickinson Dees.

Mr Blair will take over in the New Year from current managing partner Neil Braithwaite, who is stepping down after 10 years. Building on the success of Mr Braithwaite’s leadership, Mr Blair intends to build on the firm’s independent status and continue its strong growth and regional leadership, while maintaining its reputation for quality, talented resource and in-depth legal expertise and services for corporate, commercial, public sector and private clients.

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STOCKTON-BORN Alan Davey has been appointed to a top job at Arts Council England.

Mr Davey will take up the post of chief executive in early 2008, after leaving his current role of director of culture at the Department of Culture Media and Sport, which he has held for four years.

Mr Davey was born in Stockton and grew up in Billingham in the shadow of the ICI plant where his father worked as an electrician. The 46-year-old is currently director of culture at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, a post he has held since 2003 having worked in the Department as head of the arts division since 2001. In an earlier stint at the then Department of National Heritage he was responsible for designing the National Lottery.