SOFTWARE specialist NDL has expanded its sales team with the appointment of two account managers.

The move is timed to take advantage of an increase in business expected as next year's e-government deadline, which requires local authorities to provide their services electronically, draws near.

JAMIE HAYTON and MARK WHITAKER, who will be based at NDL's Wetherby, North Yorkshire, office, join the integration sales team from Toyota and British Telecom respectively. They bring the company's number of sales representatives to nine.

Iain Pickering, product director at NDL, said: "Particularly at this busy time, Jamie and Mark are welcome new recruits and I am sure that they will quickly become essential members of the team. We are delighted to have them on board."

Established in 1982 when IBM launched the first PC, NDL is a UK software house specialising in integration software.

* Sunderland contact centre 2Touch has appointed NEIL RUSHTON as IT director.

Mr Rushton, 29, joins the senior management team at the Doxford Park company, and will lead an IT department with 20 staff.

He will be responsible for restructuring the IT systems.

2Touch has also appointed two senior managers.

JOAN HARKER has been appointed contact centre support manager, while TAMMY TOWNSLEY joins as call centre operations manager to take responsibility for one of 2Touch's largest clients working in the utility sector.

Ms Harker has nine years' experience in the contact centre industry.

Ms Townsley's senior management experience and utility service delivery background will enable her to look at the introduction of best working practices that will deliver joint benefits for both 2Touch and its utility client.

* Durham University has created two posts to help with regeneration in the area. JO JOHNSON joins the university as consultant engineer, working with the Agility Group. The group is supported by bodies including regional development agency One NorthEast and helps small and medium-sized enterprises in the region.

Before joining the university, Ms Johnson worked in the aerospace industry.

LYNN TRIMMINGS has been appointed Tees Valley Officer at the North-East Centre for Environmental Science and Industry, which links the university's environmental expertise with the needs of industry.

Before joining the university, Ms Trimmings worked with many organisations in the region and nationwide, mainly in the areas of environmental, health and safety and quality management system implementation and auditing. Her recent work has included supporting the development of a corporate social responsibility policy for a housebuilder.

* HELEN McLAREN and HELEN PURVIS have joined the business services department of UNW chartered accountants.

They will be working in outsourcing, including accounts, payroll, bookkeeping, VAT and tax returns at the Newcastle accountants.

Ms Purvis joins from Robson Laidler, where she was an accounts manager. She has worked with local firms of accountants for 20 years.

Ms McLaren completed her accountancy and finance degree at Northumbria University before joining Watson Associates, where she worked for three years. She has now completed her professional accountancy exams.

Carol Reed, UNW's head of business services, said: "We are delighted to welcome the two Helens, both of whom have years of valuable accountancy experience. Our client list for outsourcing services is growing fast. As well as freeing up clients' time, and allowing them to concentrate on running their businesses, outsourcing to UNW can also help cut operating costs - and that is appealing to businesses of any size.

* Deloitte's Newcastle office has appointed American REBECCA McRAE, who joins from Deloitte Kentucky.

A fully-qualified accountant, she is beginning a three-and-a-half-year assignment in Newcastle, working primarily with Proctor and Gamble.

She said: "I had only visited the UK twice before moving to Newcastle, but have not found the transition at all difficult.

"My new colleagues have been very welcoming and supportive and I am enjoying the challenge of getting to grips with British business customs and procedures.

"This placement gives me a great opportunity to gain the experience of working in a different region and also to build up contacts within the North-East business community, which will benefit my American clients in their dealings in the region."

Paul Williamson, Newcastle office senior partner, said: "We are a truly international company and like our staff to gain a global perspective on their work.

"The placement scheme is not just a great opportunity for staff who, like Rebecca, visit from other parts of the business, but it also gives Newcastle staff a chance to develop themselves.