US-born Stan Tatko is joining business Internet service provider Onyx to help develop a range of security services.

Mr Tatko, who arrives as business development manager, has more than 20 years experience in the IT industry including a spell with Sapphire Technologies, and has lived in the region for the past 14 years.

He will be responsible for developing a series of managed security services which will help to keep businesses operations secure as they grow their online presence.

The Connected and Protected services, to be launched by the Middlesbrough company later this year, will include managed firewalls, virus scanning and secure web hosting.

* PAUL MURPHY has returned to his native North-East to join Naylors Chartered Surveyors on the Team Valley, in Gateshead. He has been appointed to lead the newly created asset and property management department of the business, after spells with Northern Rock and The Edinburgh Woollen Mills.

* The New Grange Hotel and Maxine's Restaurant has appointed FIONA KYTE as sales and marketing manager to help with the expansion and promotion of the business. She formerly worked at the Bath Spa Hotel.

* Consett-based chemical business Thomas Swan and Co has recruited JAMES SWAN, the great grandson of the founder, to develop its business in North America. James has not previously worked with the family firm and joins after commercial roles with Elf-Atochem in Paris and Photo-Me.

* Northumbrian Water has appointed two new non-executive directors. ALASTAIR BALLS and ANITA FREW took up their roles at the beginning of this month, replacing Newcastle-based solicitor Sir Derek Bradbeer and London company director Anthony Haynes who have retired.

* Applied Optical Technologies in Washington, Tyne and Wear, has appointed MORVEN SMITH as human resources manager. She joins the firm from Kerry Foods in Durham. Prior to that she worked for Nestle.

* Newcastle Building Society has promoted lending manger JAYNE DICKENS to head of property finance. The 32-year-old joined the society five years ago and has been instrumental in the growth of the commercial lending divisions. In her new role she will be responsible for a team of six dealing with general commercial lending.

* WAYNE KYTE has joined train operator GNER as operations manager for the Northern Counties, based at Newcastle Central Station. He will lead a station management team of nine, covering Darlington, Durham and Newcastle.