EUROPE'S premier excavator manufacturer Komatsu UK, has appointed a new managing director.

He is 39-year-old PETER HOWE, who is promoted from the position of deputy managing director at the business in Birtley, County Durham.

He is one of the youngest executives to be given a leading role with the Japanese manufacturer and will lead a staff of 560, holding responsibility for driving the company forward in a highly competitive market.

Mr Howe is a qualified accountant and was previously director of finance and general affairs for Komatsu UK.

The Birtley plant manufactures more than 3,000 machines ever year, with 85 per cent of them going for export.

Forecasted turnover for 2001 is in excess of £196m.

Mr Howe said: "It is essential that we stay one step ahead of the competition if we are to retain our market position as we will continue to improve our production methods and service levels to achieve this."

The Woodland Hospital in Darlington has appointed ELSPETH ROBINSON to its expanding physiotherapy department. The chartered and state registered physiotherapist will provide physiotherapy to patients who have undergone surgery or other treatment at the hospital.

Elspeth trained at St Thomas' Hospital in London and was previously physiotherapy manager at the St John of God Hospital in Scorton.

Technological solution provider Leighton Education, based in Sunderland, has appointed BOB BELL to the post of managing director.

Mr Bell is currently pro-vice chancellor at the University of Sunderland. Leighton Education was started in 1997 when it was selected as the technology partner of the Government's University for Industry, now Learndirect. Mr Bell includes ICL and Vickers Engineering among his previous employers were he held key positions in IT systems roles.

* Business lawyers Eversheds has appointed three senior members of staff to its commercial property team. ANDREW BELLWOOD, 40, has more than 20 years of experience working in Leech and Beazer Homes legal department where he was responsible for development land acquisitions.

GRAHAM CURRIE, 41, joins from Wimpey Homes where he spent five years in their legal department. He also has extensive experience working in local government and with housing associations.

CALLUM MCKEON, 33, specialises in planning and highway law in the public sector, and has worked for both county councils and unitary authorities.

Remploy has appointed TOM JACKSON as general manager of its Spennymoor factory. Mr Jackson has 25 years' management experience in the manufacturing sector and will take responsibility for managing the site, which specialises in contract services for the electronics and contract packaging industry.

New North-East housebuilder Bett Homes has completed the establishment of its senior management team. It is led by managing director DAVID BARLOW, who will focus on turning the region into a profitable one for Bett.

He has been involved in the building industry for almost 15 years and his move to the North-East follows eight years as land director with Bett Homes in Scotland.

GEOFF WILLIAMS recently joined Bett as sales manager. He has more than 25 years of experience in the new homes business, having worked at Barratt, Bowey, Persimmon and Yuill.

DAVID ROBINSON is senior quantity surveyor. His previous roles have been with Yuill, Miller and Barratt.

DOUG LAW joins as technical director, having previously worked for Bett Homes in the North-West.

GEOFF WOODS is the new construction manager. He started his career with Stanley Miller Construction Group and has worked for Barratt, Bellway and McAlpine Homes.

The final appointment to the team is SIMON BELL who joins as regional buyer. He previously worked for Leech Homes, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply