TANK-builder Vickers Defence Systems has a new chief executive.

ARCHIE HUGHES has been appointed following the death of Colin Clark.

He will be responsible for all business units within the division, including the Newcastle tank factory.

Mr Hughes joined VDS in 1996 as quality director, and has been responsible for a number of major projects.

He said: "I am honoured to take on the role of chief executive of Vickers Defence Systems."

Tees and Hartlepool Port owner Powell Duffryn has appointed GRAHAM ROBERTS as chief executive. Next month he succeeds John Holloway who has held the position for the past ten years.

Meanwhile, JAMES WILDING, of Nikko Principal Investments, takes up the role of chairman of the group, the position formerly held by Mr Holloway.

Severfield-Reeve Projects, of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, has appointed LAURA WARD as marketing manager. Laura, who is working towards chartered marketer status, was previously marketing communications manager with American Power Conversion (APC), in Boroughbridge.

The University of Teesside has appointed new directors at two of its academic schools. PROFESSOR YAU JIM YIP, is director of the School of Computing and Mathematics, and PROFESSOR BRIAN HOBBS takes over the School of Science and Technology.

Professor Yip, from Hong Kong, joined the campus from the University of North London. Professor Hobbs joined from Sheffield University in 1994 to take up the Cecil M Yuill chair of Construction, a position he will continue in his new role.

Absolute Leisure has appointed ANTHONY BOYD as financial controller. He joins the Gateshead company, at the Tuxedo Princess, from chartered accountants Tait Walker.

ANDREW MELLANBY is general manager of the refurbished SG Petch SEAT dealership in Langley Moor, Durham. The 32-year-old has been with the group for ten years.

Barratt Newcastle sales negotiators, JUNE THOMPSON and HELEN COX, have been promoted. June becomes field sales manager after 25 years with the company, while Helen, who has ten years Barratt experience, is now senior sales administrator.

Durham University graduate TOM BRINDLE has joined Howarth Clark Whitehill in Hartlepool as an accountancy trainee.