EDF Energy has created a new role in a bid to attract high-quality workers to the area.

DOUG TURNER has been appointed as diversity and development manager at the Sunderland customer contact centre, which employs 1,100 people.

His role will involve working to improve the quality of the existing workforce at the former LE Group, through ongoing employee development.

It is part of a group-wide initiative by EDF Energy to enhance personnel.

Working alongside agencies such as Remploy, Opportunity Now and Disability Services, the company aims to widen the range of people it employs.

Mr Turner said: "EDF Energy in Sunderland is continually expanding and in order to stay in tune with its growth requirements, we cannot afford to ignore the complete workforce, which includes people of all ages and abilities."

One of the latest recruits to join the organisation through the diversity route is CLAIRE WILSON from Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland. Miss Wilson, who is visually impaired, was referred to the company by a disability advisor from the employment service.

* Chartered surveyors Sanderson Townend and Gilbert, in Newcastle, has appointed CARLY SUTHERLAND as residential property manager. She brings more than ten years' experience to the post, having previously worked for the Whickham branch of Bairstow Eves estate agents. She will be responsible for managing and marketing the company's growing portfolio of residential properties in and around Newcastle city centre.

* Northern Precision Engineering in Wallsend has made two appointments to its team of engineers. BARRY GRAHAM has joined the company as group sales director. He has more than 20 years' experience, having started his career as an apprentice with Timex, in Washington, Tyne and Wear.

He has worked in sales management since 1992 and was most recently part of the engineering division at the Express Group, in Gateshead. Joining Mr Graham at the firm is project engineer MARK VERDON. He has experience in a number of engineering disciplines and has worked on power generation and aerospace projects. He most recently worked at Express Engineering as a manufacturing systems engineer with a specialised aerospace and defence team.

* Law firm Dickinson Dees has appointed LUCY GRAHAM to lead its commercial services in the Tees Valley. She has joined the firm as an associate to co-ordinate specialist commercial services at the Tees Valley offices of the firm.

She has a wealth of experience in commercial contracts gained while working at Pace Micro Technology and in private practice at TD Waterhouse and Eversheds in Leeds.

* Business advisor Ernst and Young has made DEBBIE O'HANLON and ANDREW SPENCE partners in its Newcastle office. They will work with other partners to develop Ernst and Young's client base further. The appointments follow the firm's move to offices in Newcastle, at Citygate, where it employs 200 staff.