* EMIRATES Airlines has appointed Bill McPherson as its first airport services manager at Newcastle Airport.

As Emirates prepares to launch the first long haul schedule service from Newcastle on September 1, the Dubai-based airline has placed one of its most experienced airport managers in charge of its operations at Newcastle.

Glasgow-born Mr McPherson is returning to the UK to take up the post, having been based in Dubai for the past seven years as Emirates' regional manager, overseeing its operations at airports in the Far East, Australia and New Zealand.

He will lead the newly-recruited ten-strong Emirates team at Newcastle Airport, which will be handling up to 550 passengers a day leaving and arriving on Emirates' daily inbound and outbound service.

Before joining Emirates in 2000, Mr McPherson - who has spent his entire career working for airlines - held airport management positions for both KLM and British Airways.

l GARLANDS Call Centres, in Hartlepool, has appointed a new operations director and member of the executive team.

Mark Carberry will be responsible for developing the company's contact centre operations to deliver higher standards of service, and will work with the executive team to develop and implement strategies to grow and improve the profitability of the business. He joins the company from Pipex, where he was director of sales and service.

l THE NewcastleGateshead Initiative has appointed Tina Snowball to take up the role as head of corporate communications, leading the organisation's drive to promote the "twin cities" as a world-class destination in which to work, live, learn and visit.

Ms Snowball brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in the marketing, public relations and sponsorship sectors for 19 years. Among her previous employers are the Royal Shakespeare Company and London-based sports agency CSS Stellar.

l TWO architects at Ryder, in Newcastle, have been promoted to become associates.

Ronnie Graham and Stewart McKenna, both experts in their field, received their promotion due to their dedication and level of expertise.

Mr Graham joined Ryder in 2000 and is an expert in the education sector. He has been involved in projects including the £60m Redcar and Cleveland PFI and the £160m South Tyneside and Gateshead Schools BSF project.

Mr McKenna's role at Ryder as project leader sees him involved with several clients in the commercial sector taking projects from inception through to completion. He is currently heading up the office villages portfolio.

*A KEY figure in the creation of Renew Tees Valley - the company established by the area's local authorities to promote the development of the renewable energy and recycling industries - is returning as its acting chief executive.

Peter Ellis, formerly assistant director for regeneration with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, is taking over from Dr Dermot Roddy, who is moving to Newcastle University as Professor of Energy with the Science City project.

Mr Ellis, who also held key economic development posts with the former Cleveland County Council, said that one of his main tasks will be to steer Renew Tees Valley through an important stage in its development and ensure that the area continues to develop as one of the country's leading centres for the "renewable" industries.

l MARKETING group Golley Slater has appointed Katie Dale to head up its financial PR division in Newcastle.

Ms Dale, who will develop the specialist service across each of Golley Slater's regional offices, joins the company from Citigate Dewe Rogerson