FINE arts graduate NIGEL McNEIL has been appointed to the communications team at Pensions Management in Darlington.

Joining the team as an assistant communication manager, he also works supporting the First Stop Darlington charity that assists homeless people as a trustee.

He will be using the experience he has from his positions at Eagle Star and PricewaterhouseCoopers to co-ordinate the PR, internal communications and company vision and values for the organisation. He will also be assisting in the management of the department, including budgets and invoicing.

Specialising in modern landscapes and portraiture, the 33-year-old has also sold a number of pieces through galleries and continues to be passionate about art.