PricewaterhouseCoopers, in Newcastle, has appointed KARL WICKERSON to provide tax advice to clients.

The company appointed Mr Wickerson from its Hull office.

CHRIS HEATLIE returns to the Newcastle practice from a spell at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Leeds, to head up the firm's local transaction services team.

Two members of staff, SEAN HAMILTON, who works in business recovery, and GWYNETH SCHOLEFIELD, from human resource services, have been promoted to director level.

Paul Woolston, senior partner and head of PricewaterhouseCoopers' North-East practice, said: "In the past year, we have seen a marked increase in confidence within the business community and transaction volumes are higher than they have been for a couple of years.

This optimism has helped to grow PricewaterhouseCoopers' presence in the local marketplace, and our investment in people, and the new office, underscores our belief that the future prospects of Newcastle and the North-East region are bright."