A COUNTY Durham woman is taking over an integral role in construction training in the North East.

DAWN WILKINSON, 38, from Leadgate, previously an office manager for an engineering company, has been appointed to the full-time position of Contractors' Training Group co-ordinator, following the retirement of Robert Harrison.

Mrs Wilkinson will work on behalf of 30 construction companies, which are members of the group, to prepare training needs analysis and develop and co-ordinate existing training plans.

The Contractors' Training Group is supported by industry body, CITB-ConstructionSkills, and was set up in 2000 to organise training for construction contractors of all sizes, based in the region.

The Contractors' Training Group is a free service and works alongside two other training groups - the Civil Engineering Training Group and the North-East Roofing Training Group.

Mrs Wilkinson said: "My role is to take the hassle of organising training away from busy construction companies.

"I am hoping to carry on the good work and encourage more companies to use the service. I intend to provide as many training days and courses as possible and continue to develop effective and meaningful courses that lead to recognised qualifications for participants."

* The BiB Group, based in Darlington, has appointed DENIS PINNEGAR as director of group development. Mr Pinnegar, a founder director of the Manufacturing Challenge and past chairman of the Northern Growth Forum, ran his own business in the region until two-and-a-half years ago when he moved to an international role in the manufacturing and distribution sector. He returned to his native North-East in January, joining BiB in February.

* DOUG OLLETT has joined regional housebuilder Yuill Homes as senior site manager at the Trinity Gardens development, in Northallerton. He has previously worked for national housebuilders. Mr Ollett has worked in the building trade since beginning his career as a bricklayer.

* Filtronic plc, a global designer of microwave electronic subsystems for the wireless telecommunications and defence industries, has appointed DR MAURA MOYNIHAN as company secretary following the resignation of Christopher Schofield. Dr Moynihan qualified as a solicitor in 1993 with Lovells, and joined Filtronic in 2002 as general counsel. She will continue as general counsel in addition to her role as company secretary.

* The UK's only pretzel manufacturer, Union Snack, in Tanfield Lea, County Durham, has promoted founder director CALUM RYDER to managing director. Mr Ryder has been instrumental in Union Snack's success since its launch in 1996. He was previously responsible for operations, technical and new product development. Educated at Durham University, where he gained a BSc in chemistry followed by an MBA, 39-year-old Mr Ryder, who lives in Gosforth, Newcastle, began his career in the food business at MD Foods in 1988 as production manager. He has also worked for Derwent Valley Foods and Pride Valley Foods.

* IAN DORMER, managing director of Rosh Engineering, on Tyneside, has been appointed national vice-chairman of the Institute of Directors (IoD). He will play a key role in the management of the IoD nationally, which has 54,000 members across the UK and is instrumental in representing the interests of business to government. Mr Dormer was formerly chairman of the North-East Region of the IoD, and sat on the institute's policy and executive committee. He chairs the membership committee at the IoD's headquarters in Pall Mall, London.

* Made-to-measure window blinds specialist Hillarys Group has appointed MELLISA BUNYAN as director of sales. Mrs Bunyan will be responsible for Hillarys' network of 850 local advisors nationwide, ensuring they give customers the best possible service and make the most of every sales appointment. She has more than 11 years' sales experience, and before joining Hillarys, was national sales operations manager at npower, in charge of an advisor network of 800.

* PAULA FLANAGAN is the new regional manager for The Royal Bank of Scotland, covering Yorkshire, the North-East and Lincolnshire. Her area spans Newcastle to Lincoln, and is one of the bank's largest regions. The 34-year-old takes up the role following maternity leave after having a baby girl. She has 17 years experience with the bank, including five as a regional manager.

* Storey Carpets, has appointed a new financial director. JOHN CATTELL, from Whitley Bay, joins the firm from T&G Allan Ltd, the pen and stationery specialist. He has more than 20 years of accountancy experience, having begun his training with Ernst and Young, as well as controlling the finances of the equipment and tool company Lord Hire Ltd.

* The North Eastern Rural Affairs Forum (Neraf) has appointed MILES MIDDLETON as chairman. He succeeds Ian Brown, who was instrumental in the set-up of the forum and has resigned the post, due to other work pressures, after a five-year tenure. Mr Middleton is currently chairman of the Hadrian's Wall Tourism partnership and chairman of Tynedale Housing, which aims to create affordable housing in rural areas.

* Commercial lawyer JANE ARMITAGE has joined the team at Tees Valley legal firm Jacksons. The mother-of-two is returning to legal work after three years living overseas. She studied law at Bristol University and undertook a traineeship at commercial practice Osborne Clarke, working in its commercial property department for five years after she qualified. After a career break, she ran her own practice before moving with her family to the US.