DARLINGTON law practice Latimer Hinks has appointed two of its former trainee solicitors as partners.

NICOLA NEILSON, who joined the firm in 2000, and CLAIRE REEVES, who has worked at the practice for six years, have joined the team of eight partners.

Ms Neilson specialises in commercial property work, including landlord and tenant matters, and the sale and purchase of freehold properties.

Ms Reeves works in the private client department.

Practice partner Anne Elliott said: "It is very pleasing that two of our trainees have progressed to partner level."

l CONSTRUCTION company Bluestone has appointed DAVID SMAILES as area manager for the Tyne Tees area.

He will be based at the company's new office in Chancery Court, Belmont Business Park, County Durham, and will be responsible for business growth across the Tyne Tees area.

Mr Smailes joins Bluestone from building group Laing O'Rourke, and brings more than 20 years' experience to the post.

He said: "I am looking forward to shaping the Bluestone business and building strong relationships with the local community, our clients, subcontractors and design teams."

* McINERNEY Homes, of Stockton, has almost doubled its presence in the region over the past few months and has made two key additions to its marketing team to deal with its growing number of developments.

STEPHANIE STORRY has joined the firm as marketing assistant, and BECKY TYLER is the marketing manager.

Ms Storry will initially be responsible for looking after the developments in the Southern part of the region.

Ms Tyler previously worked for Bowey Homes and stayed with the company when it was acquired by McInerney Homes last summer. Although responsible for the whole region's marketing output, she will have specific responsibility for the Northern part of the region.

After acquiring Bowey Homes last year, McInerney has experienced a time of growth, and last month added Lancing Homes and its 400 homes to its portfolio.

l LAW firm Dickinson Dees has appointed leading environmental and health and safety lawyer MICHAEL HUTCHINSON as partner and head of its environmental and safety team, in Newcastle.

With more than 18 years' experience in the field, Mr Hutchinson has worked for some of the biggest names in the UK legal sector, including Linklaters, Freshfields and Mayer, Brown and Rowe & Maw, from where he joins Dickinson Dees.

Managing partner Neil Braithwaite said: "Michael's arrival, with his considerable reputation in this area, will enable us to build on our existing strengths in both our private and public sector work, ranging as it does from waste, through chemicals, engineering, renewables and utilities."

l RURAL hotel De Vere Slaley Hall, in Northumberland, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of STEVEN LAZARUS. Mr Lazarus joins the hotel after having previously held management positions in several other top-rated hotels. He joins Slaley Hall as operations manager.

He said: "I'm looking forward to developing further the hotel's already sterling facilities and reputation."

l THE Newcastle branch of Handelsbanken Swedish bank has appointed two corporate banking managers with more than 60 years of banking experience between them. The arrival of PETER SMITSON and MIKE BRUNSKILL forms a key element of the bank's continuing development strategy in Newcastle