FOLLOWING a number of major contract wins, public relations and advertising consultancy Kinghorn Davies has strengthened its team.

The Newcastle-based agency has appointed NATALIE TRAINOR, 22, as PR account executive.

She joins Kinghorn Davies with an honours degree in Communication, Cultural and Media Studies and has three years of previous consultancy experience.

Natalie said: "It has been my ambition to work in public relations and I'm delighted that Kinghorn Davies has given me my first big step up the career ladder."

Mary Davies, managing director of the company, said: "Between gaining a number of new clients and our existing clients stepping up their campaigns, there is a great need to expand our public relations team."

JOHN QUINN is the latest addition to the growing team at simpsongroup, following his appointment as financial controller and company secretary. The chartered accountant joins the group after 15 years spent working a variety of clients. His last position was as financial controller and company secretary for Pride Valley Foods.

TTE Management and Technical Training has appointed MICHAEL BRAZIER as mechanical trainer. Mr Brazier has worked in the UK and overseas in the last 19 years, returning from Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

Meanwhile SAMANTHA ROBBINS has been appointed to TTE's technical development section as a desk top publisher. She joins the section from TTE's admin support team where she has worked since June 1999.

Close Thornton Solicitors in Darlington has appointed ADRIAN NOBLE to its conveyancing department. Adrian, who studied for a law degree at Teesside University, completed his legal practice training course at Northumbria University in Newcastle.

Tyneside bakers Greggs of Gosforth has appointed VIVIEN MCCALLUM as regional sales manager. The 29-year-old was an area manager for the firm in South Shields. Before then, Vivien, from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, studied at Sunderland University where she gained a degree in business administration.

Visitor attraction design and build company, Past Forward, in York has appointed ANDREW LEITCH as managing director. The experienced designer and project manager has been recruited to manage the company's recent expansion, including moving into new offices in York.

A qualified palaentologist and curator, he has previously worked across Europe, North America and Asia in a variety of roles, including consultation work on Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park.