Keeping North East Talent At The CoalFace

To meet client demand, web solutions company Coalface, which is now owned by Drummond Central, has successfully recruited three people from right here in the North East.

CoalFace produces digital solutions for the likes of Northumbria University, Centre for Life and Alnwick Castle. It has been seeing a recent drive in web-based systems and as part of this ongoing growth, has recruited for two positions straight from the North East talent pool as well as taking on another apprentice.

Michael Grange has been appointed as a project manager. CoalFace already had close ties with Michael thanks to a relationship garnered through Northumbria University with Project Director, Ed Francis.

Ed said: “Michael’s experience in the software industry is the perfect compliment to our team, especially with our ongoing strategy to build innovative web-based software applications. Having worked with Michael in a previous life, I have full confidence that he’ll be a valuable asset to our team, and continue to strengthen the quality of the work we produce for clients across the country.”

CoalFace’s second appointment is Jairaj Lalli, in the role of junior web developer. His portfolio and passion for the industry was a driver for CoalFace filling this role.

Lastly, CoalFace has recruited Ethan Mattison, an apprentice software developer who will start in September under Baltic Training’s ‘ Microsoft Approved Software Development Technician Apprenticeship ’ scheme. Ethan will be the fourth apprentice the agency has recruited in the last four years, which is testament to their commitment to develop the best young talent in the region.

On the appointment, Ed said: “CoalFace’s recruitment strategy has always been born out of the ideal that our employees can be nurtured to become invaluable members of our team. We have a very high staff retention rate and have found far more success in recruiting from higher education.

“There’s a general drive in the industry to ensure that our talent pool remains in the North East and it’s fantastic that there are still many opportunities to be had from our outstanding colleges and universities in the area.”

CoalFace was founded in 2007 and is part of the Drummond Central Group that employs a 50+ strong team. It specialises in web and systems development with clients across the UK and beyond.

CoalFace’s recruitment strategy has always been born out of the ideal that our employees can be nurtured to become invaluable members of our team. We have a very high staff retention rate and have found far more success in recruiting from higher education. There’s a general drive in the industry to ensure that our talent pool remains in the North East and it's fantastic that there are still many opportunities to be had from our outstanding colleges and universities in the area

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