CHARTERED accountant Chris Beaumont has been promoted to become an associate at Darlington firm Clive Owen and Co.

He joined the practice in 1996 and sits on the committees of Darlington Business Club, Business Clubs North-East and the North-East Chamber of Commerce.

Tony Luckett, a partner in the firm, said: "Chris heads a dynamic team and is proficient in ensuring clients are able to interpret their accounts so that they can flourish and grow.

"He has a great personality which puts prospective clients at ease straight away and his ability to talk to business owners in a language they are familiar with certainly makes a difference."