Mike Preston has joined Headjam as a partner as Principal and Executive Creative Director. Mike brings more than three decades of expertise creating international award-winning campaigns. He has won major international creative awards and has directed the launch of major brands such as Optus and Hahn in the Australian marketplace. He worked with agencies including JWT, Publicis, McCann Erickson, FCB, George Patterson and Clemenger BBDO.

Nicki Carroll has been appointed as a Management Systems Consultant at BusinessBasics with an additional role to cultivate their training programs. Nicki has extensive operational and strategic experience in quality, environmental and safety management across multiple manufacturing and utilities sites, including AmpControl, Ausgrid and the Electoral Commission

WEA Hunter has appointed Bronwyn Musgrove into the newly created position of RTO Operations Manager and Deputy General Manager. Bronwyn has more than 20 years’ experience as a trainer and manager in the education and training sector. Most recently she worked with VERTO, Hunter Group Training and Northnet Incorporated. The new role was created to enhance WEA Hunter’s continued expansion into specialist skills and vocational education training.

Kate Bone has commenced at the Hunter Diabetes Centre as the Clinical Trial Coordinator. Originally from Newcastle, Kate has returned after 15 years, including 11 years in the pharmaceutical industry in Sydney. Kate has worked in clinical trials within the pharmaceutical industry and will be working with Dr Morbey in her rooms at the Hunter Diabetes Centre, liaising directly with the patients on clinical trials and setting up new clinical trials, as well as identifying and screening suitable patients for these studies

Andrew Powrie has joined The Business Centre as Business Advisor and Trainer. Andrew is well-schooled in the area of business growth and development, being Chairman of the Hunter Economic Development Network, Chairman of the Economic Development Australia (EDA) NSW Board and a National Director of EDA. Andrew holds a Master of Management, Graduate Diploma of Economic Development and is an Australian Certified Economic Development Practitioner.

Luke Styles has joined the JSA Group as a Financial Adviser. Prior to his commencement at JSA, Luke gained five years of professional experience as a financial planner with a national company, where he focused on personal insurance advice. Luke is an Authorised Representative of Matrix Planning Solutions Limited and holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning). He is currently studying a Bachelor of Business (Finance) to help meet the needs of his clients.

CBD litigation firm Catherine Henry Partners has appointed Alan Wright to head up their family law team. Alan is well known in the Newcastle and wider Hunter community as one of the region’s most experienced family law practitioners having specialised in this area for 25 years. He holds specialist accreditation in family law from the NSW Law Society.

Jaime Bloomfield has joined the team at Shartru Wealth Management. Jaime has over 10 years’ experience in the financial planning sector. Jaime’s latest endeavour will see her using her knowledge and skills to provide support to Shartru’s existing adviser network whilst developing relationships with new advisers looking for a tailored licensing solution.

Alicia Nixon has joined the JSA Group with more than 10 years of experience working with clients in the financial services and legal industries. This included her role as a legal secretary where she prepared Wills and other documents relating to clients’ estates. At JSA, Alicia manages client services for JSA’s Estate Planning. She works closely with JSA’s qualified advisors and aged care specialists.

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has appointed Graham Batten as Executive Officer. Graham has experience in organisational management, procurement and community initiatives. He comes to the role from Newcastle Permanent Building Society, which he joined in 2009 as

Procurement Manager. The Executive Officer role provides organisational and strategic support to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.