PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS (PwC) in Newcastle has appointed 22 graduates, nine of whom have joined from local universities, including Newcastle and Durham.

Most of the firm's graduates will be studying for the Association of Chartered Accountants qualification, and will work in the PwC's assurance, risk assurance services, business recovery services, public services and tax departments.

Four of the graduates have joined from the Flying Start programme, which is run by PwC, Newcastle University and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Paul Woolston, senior partner, said: "PwC believes in fostering and retaining the region's graduates along with supporting the local community.

"This will help to further strengthen our practice and our local expertise which in turn benefits ours clients.

"I'm delighted to welcome our new graduates to our Newcastle office and wish them all the best with their careers at the firm."

COAST and Country Housing has appointed a head of regeneration to its regeneration and development team.

Martin Simpson, formerly manager of the Tees Valley Partnership, where he was responsible for a £25m annual regeneration programme, is helping to oversee a £22m housing project at the Westfield Estate, in Loftus, East Cleveland.

Anna Gibson, director of regeneration and development for Coast and Country Housing, said: "I am delighted that somebody with Martin's experience, background and knowledge has joined us. The Westfield development is one of several important Coast and Country Housing projects."

ACCIDENT claims specialists Winn Solicitors have appointed a new area sales and key account manager.

Peter Dixon has 12 years' experience in sales. He worked for six years as a Northern area sales manager and key account manager for HelpHire.

He will help promote Winns' service to body shops, dealerships and other businesses.

He said: "I am thrilled to join Winns and am already very busy developing business."

PROJECT manager and construction consultant Hall and Partners is helping raise the number of women in the industry by recruiting four females to its team.

Ray Hall, chairman of Hall and Partners, said: "I am really optimistic about the success of the new members of our team.

"The construction industry has too long been dominated by men. It will be interesting to see how more experienced members of the industry react to our new appointees, who have filled traditionally male roles."

Sophie Lacey has been appointed to the business management team, and students Natalie Barber and Yolande Gaertner are starting year-long placements.

Caroline Cosgrove has also been appointed as an undergraduate quantity surveyor.

GRAND Central is strengthening its senior management team as final preparations continue for the launch of its high-speed passenger train services from Sunderland to London King's Cross within the next few weeks.

Tom Clift, a highly experienced rail industry manager, will become managing director when services start, enabling Ian Yeowart, Grand Central's current managing director, to concentrate on developing further open access service opportunities.

The senior management team is completed by David Lowrie, finance director, and Sean English, operations director.

THE North-East Employer Coalition (NEEC) has developed its presence south of the region with two appointments at its Tees Valley offices.

The organisation, part of a network of local employer groups committed to increasing job opportunities for disadvantaged people, has added John Jeffreys and Kirsty Speight to its team.

Mr Jeffreys, who has 35 years' experience in banking, becomes pathways employer engagement manager, and Ms Speight is joining the NEEC as a project coordinator.

Egizia Crabbe, director of the Tees Valley NEEC, said: "Both appointments support the strategic growth we have planned for the Tees Valley offices, so we can further develop our service for the benefit of local employers and customers."

THE Newcastle office of KPMG has brought Fiona Longley back to the North-East as a senior tax manager to help businesses in the region to increase their bottom line by managing property and fixed assets tax efficiently.

Ms Longley, originally from Yarm, worked in the Newcastle office for eight years, before moving to KPMG's Manchester base.

KPMG's head of tax in Newcastle, John Campbell, said: "Attracting Fiona back to Newcastle is a real coup as her knowledge is so relevant to and sought after by many asset rich, tax vulnerable businesses in the region."

NEW restaurant Flatbread Cafe, in Newcastle, has appointed a head chef.

Gareth Marks joins the team fresh from hosting a three-month ITV show, A Taste of the North, which saw him travelling the North of England sourcing the fresh ingredients.

Mr Marks previously worked for the Malmaison hotel group, and has worked with leading names in the sector during his career, including celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.

Justin Perkins, director of Flatbread Cafe, said: "We're delighted to welcome Gareth on board as we take the first steps in bringing Flatbread Cafe to life."

TERRY HANLON has been appointed as regional strategy advisor for ConstructionSkills in the North East.

Mr Hanlon has been with the organisation for seven years, most recently in the role of education adviser, and his new post will see him ensure strategies are in place to deliver the organisation's sector skills agreements.

Ken Parker, area manager for ConstructionSkills North, said: "We are delighted that Terry has accepted this position. He will bring to the role enthusiasm and a blend of experience from education, training and industry."