Baker Tilly has appointed nine recruits

The St James's Gate firm has recently appointed three accounts assistants, ERNEST DODDS, VICTORIA COLE and VICTORIA HOGG, from local accounting firms.

On the marketing side, NICOLA COOK, formerly of Standard Life, joins after moving to the North-East from Edinburgh.

The tax team has recruited ANDY GRAHAM as a senior manager and STEPHEN OLIVER as a tax assistant.

Graduates PAUL YOUNGER, SHAUNA MORRIS and ADELE PANKHURST join as accountancy trainees.

Office managing partner Brian Johnson said: "I am confident that all of our new team members will provide an invaluable contribution to the continued growth and development of the firm here in Newcastle and I look forward to announcing further new arrivals in the not-too-distant future."

l LEARNING training provider PP Training has appointed SUE SIMMONS as audit manager.

Having worked with the Jarrow company in her previous role as auditor for a national learndirect provider, Ms Simmons, from Washington, Wearside, is responsible for examining and verifying online and systems data.

With more than three years' experience, she oversees course information and data input for more than 1,500 learners.

PP Training specialises in providing industry-led programmes, including forklift truck operations, productivity, skills for life, IT and health and safety management.

l LAND Securities, which owns The Gate in Newcastle, The Bridges in Sunderland and Retail World in Gateshead, has appointed KATHERINE LIGHT as portfolio manager.

She joins the Land Securities team in the north from the Leeds office of Donaldsons chartered surveyors, where she was an associate partner.

In her new role, Ms Light will be involved in the investment management of the Land Securities portfolio.

Before joining Donaldsons, Ms Light was an estates manager for retailer Birthdays.

Land Securities regional director Gerald Jennings said: "With experience of retail property from both the owners' and occupiers' perspectives, Katherine is a welcome addition to our team."

l SOLICITOR and tax advisor SIMON BRITON has returned to the North-East from London to take up a post with law firm Ward Hadaway.

Former Durham University student Mr Briton, 28, who specialises in tax, will join Ward Hadaway's corporate finance team.

He developed his tax expertise at firms that include Grant Thornton, KPMG and City-based lawyers Bird and Bird.

Born in Washington, Wearside, Mr Briton said: "When the opportunity arose to return to the North-East to work for Ward Hadaway, I seized it with both hands.

"As well as being a fantastic career move, returning to the North-East has been very good for me personally.

"My passion for good restaurants, the arts and cycling, make the North-East the best place for me to be."

l CONSULTANCY White Young Green has appointed PETER WELSTEAD as an associate landscape architect to join the team based at the company's Newcastle office.

Mr Welstead, who has worked for such organisations as Groundwork South Tees, will be responsible for a team of four, undertaking a range of landscape architecture, urban design and environmental projects throughout the North-East.

One of the first projects he will oversee is a masterplanning study for Riverside Business Park, Middlesbrough.

The project will regenerate an industrial area of strategic importance in the centre of Middlesbrough.

He said: "My specialisms include masterplanning, urban regeneration and sports and recreation projects and I am determined to ensure that White Young Green benefits from my experience in these fields."

l RECRUITMENT agency North-East Workforce has announced three appointments.

NICOLA JOHNSON, a former account manager for Nexus, has joined NEWcom, the organisation's administration and call centre recruitment operation.

KEVIN LILLIE, previously operations manager for Development Training North East, will run the engineering recruitment section.

Australian BOYD MASTERS, has become a consultant with NEWdrive, the agency's transport recruiters. All three are based in the Newcastle office.

l BNS Telecom has appointed DAVINA OUTHWAITE as customer service director.

With 25 years experience, she began her career as the Silentnight Group's first female management trainee and has held senior positions with companies that include Sealy, University Wines and Spirits and French food company Saupiquet.

BNS Telecom, based in Prudhoe, Northumberland, is one of the UK's largest independent telecoms companies and manages millions of calls a month for more than 10,000 clients.

l JULIE CURRY has joined North-East fund manager NEL as a marketing assistant.

She takes responsibility for maintaining and developing relationships with intermediaries, which include some of the region's accountants and bankers, and for managing the company's client database.

She will also handle events for NEL, including seminars and fund launches.

Ms Curry was previously employed at accountancy practice Tait Walker, and before that worked at law firm Ward Hadaway.

l ANN JOHNSON has been appointed as manager at Grainger Land and Regeneration, in Newcastle.

She has worked for Grainger Trust for more than seven years, and recently graduated from Northumbria University's department of the built environment with a BA in housing sustainable communities.

At Grainger Land and Regeneration, she will be responsible for land development activity, looking at the provision of sustainable housing and community liaison.

l SWEDISH Bank Handelsbanken, which opened in Newcastle two years ago, has appointed DONNA ORRICK, from Washington, Wearside, as account manager, working with branch manager Kevin Pattison.

He said: "Donna brings experience and maturity to a very important role and adds strength to a well-established team. The bank is enjoying its most successful year to date and our customers are benefiting from what I consider to be traditional banking services and, most important of all, excellent personal service."