RICHARD Coyles and Ian Gowland have given their careers a spring clean by switching to new roles at excavator manufacturer Komatsu UK.

Mr Coyles, 30, and Mr Gowland, 23, both from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, have joined the design department at Komatsu, in Birtley, as trainee draughtsmen.

Mr Coyles has worked on the assembly line at Komatsu, while Mr Gowland started as a trainee engineer.

Tracey Wilson, head of human resources at the company, said: "Where possible we strive to offer our employees the best training and opportunities in order to advance their careers."

GNER has recruited three more to its marketing and sales department. SCOTT JEFFERSON, is the new head of marketing.

He has spent 15 years in marketing, from pet products to cosmetics and helthcare. SABINE SHARMAN joins GNER as senior product manager after seven years with British Airways, where she started on a graduate management programme.

JENNIFER HURLEY, is the third new member of the team, joining as product manager. She has four years experience with laundry product and personal care products manufacturer Unilever.

Business Link Tyne and Wear has promoted IAN DOMER to vice-chairman of its board.

He is the managing director of Swalwell-based Rosh Engineering and has been on the board since the new Business Link franchise was formed in November 2000.

Sunderland-based Broseley Homes has made four new appointments as part of a £30m development programme.

JACKIE GRIVES, from Sunderland, and JANE STERLING, from Newton Aycliffe, have joined the company from Boots, where they worked as beauty consultants.

CAROLE SMITH, from Gateshead, and KATH ROBSON, from Houghton-le-Spring, are returning to housing after career breaks. Ms Smith, originally from London, has returned after a gap of four years, while Ms Robson has returned after a three-year break.

ALEX JACKSON has joined marketing agency Silver Bullet as account manager. She joins the team from Newcastle United, where she was sales and marketing executive for two years.

JANE FLOWERS has been promoted to marketing manager at Team Valley-based TDR. Ms Flowers joined TDR seven months ago as a sales and office administrator.

In her new role she will be responsible for the organisation's new Business Solutions division.

Northern Enterprise, in Gateshead, has appointed KEITH CHARLTON as finance controller and company secretary.

The 43-year-old, originally from Ponteland in Northumberland, qualified as a chartered accountant in London in 1991.

He then worked in the Listing Department of the London Stock Exchange, followed by the Securities and Investment Board.