BUSINESS advisory firm Deloitte has added three senior specialists to its North-East team of public sector consultants.

DAVID HARKER joins as partner from the board of public sector management consulting company Hedra, where he was executive director in charge of the firm's devolved government teams. His client teams managed consulting work on IT change projects and joint ventures, and he brings more than 20 years experience in the public sector to Deloitte's team.

Also appointed is ADRIAN SIMPSON, an experienced HR practitioner who has joined as senior consultant. Following a career spanning a decade in local government at Gateshead and Tynedale councils, Mr Simpson will work on large projects for national government departments as well as local councils.

IVAN McCONNELL is an experienced auditor who joins as a director from the Audit Commission.

In all, Mr McConnell has 17 years audit and consulting experience within local, regional and central government and the NHS.

Paul Williamson, senior partner at Deloitte in Newcastle said "To attract three such experienced individuals to boost the team is great news, and the trio are already working on several key projects."