Alan Purvis

Former technical director Mr Purvis, who has been with the company for ten years, replaces John Poland, who is retiring in August.

Mr Purvis joined MetroMail as data centre manager and has since held a number of roles within the company.

MetroMail is the fourth-largest mailing house in the UK, and is based in Peterlee, County Durham, employing 230 staff.

l ACCOUNTANCY firm Clive Owen and Company has appointed two new team members at its Durham offices.

STUART LOUGH and LEANNE EMBLETON are part-qualified and have joined the office at Aykley Heads.

Mr Lough previously worked as an accounts assistant at another North-East accountancy practice.

He hopes to complete his studies and qualify as a certified chartered accountant this year.

Ms Embleton hopes to complete her exams later this year to become a chartered accountant.

l JASON WAINWRIGHT has joined commercial law firm Robert Muckle as a property partner after spending five years as in-house lawyer with transport group Arriva, based in Sunderland.

He will be taking on the group management role for the property services team.

l THREE associates have been appointed at York commercial law firm Denison Till.

They are VALERIE STEVENSON, who joined the corporate department's transaction team last year from national law firm Addleshaws, in Leeds.

JAYNE RICHARDS joined the commercial property team in 2003 from national law firm Walker Morris, also in Leeds.

ALEXANDRA WESTON joined the corporate department in 2002 from Philip Ashworth and Company, based in York.

l JOHN PARKINSON, managing director of Metnor Property Group, has been appointed as a main board director to Newcastle parent company Metnor Group plc.

Mr Parkinson, previously chief executive of the Newcastle Falcons Rugby Club, joined Metnor last year.

He has 30 years experience in commercial property investment and development in the UK and overseas, and is a fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Stephen Rankin, chief executive said: "Property development has the potential to become an increasingly important part of the group's future strategy. John brings with him a wealth of experience in the property field and we are delighted to welcome him to the board."

Mr Parkinson said: "I am delighted to be joining the board of such a progressive company and my aim will be to contribute effectively to the future successes of Metnor Group through our property activities."

l Bibby Financial Services has appointed GLEN CALLANDER as head of sales for the North-East.

Since joining Bibby's North-East operation two years ago Glen, has achieved rapid promotion.

He was previously business development manager for the company.

l SURGO Construction, one of the region's largest independent building contractors has recruited seven members of staff.

BRIAN HUNTER, from Stanley, County Durham, BARRY COOPER, from Newcastle, and DAVID BLYTH, who moved from the Midlands, have been appointed senior quantity surveyors.

Mr Hunter will be working on the construction of the Science Learning Centre, at Framwellgate School, Durham. Mr Cooper will work on the extension of Newburn Leisure Centre, while Mr Blyth is working on the Farringdon Community School project, in Sunderland.

Another new member of the team is DARIN STEPHENS, from Gateshead, who has been appointed as a planner. He will be working on a project at The Royal Grammar School. in Newcastle.

Three site managers have also been appointed. They are HARRY TWIZELL from Newbiggin, near Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DEREK LLEWELLYN, from Middlesbrough, and JOE COYNE, from Cramlington, Northumberland.

l LAW firm Watson Burton has announced four senior promotions. LOUISE KELLY and ALISTAIR GROVES have been appointed as partners, and JOHN DEVINE and SIMON SCOUGALL as associates.

Ms Kelly joined Watson Burton's property department as an associate three years ago from law firm Robert Muckle. She has since advised on projects that included the Co-operative Group's acquisition of 27 pharmacies, the £55m Trinity Gardens development and Newcastle College schemes.

Mr Groves joined Watson Burton's construction and engineering group in 1999 having qualified and worked at law firm Eversheds. He specialises in resolving engineering disputes, and has advised on power generation, infrastructure works, civil engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering and facilities management.

Mr Devine, newly promoted associate in the corporate department, is the driving force behind the sports law unit at Watson Burton. He deals primarily with company, commercial and charity matters, and has advised a number of football and rugby clubs on Sport in the Community schemes.

Mr Scougall trained with Watson Burton and joined its property department in 2001.

He is involved with complex development projects and handles retail acquisitions for The Co-operative Group (CWS) Limited, Bellway Homes Limited and other key clients. Simon also acts on behalf of major banks, including the Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB Bank plc and Allied Irish Bank plc.