Stephanie Murphy

STEPHANIE MURPHY has been appointed to work on the association's affordable homes agenda, becoming one of the few women to run a housing association.

Housing corporation figures published last year showed that only 12 per cent of chief executives at the 200 largest housing associations were women, despite more than 70 per cent of the workforce being female. Ms Murphy has 23 years' experience in social housing, including 15 as a senior manager. She joined Two Castles Housing Association, in Newcastle, 12 years ago as regional housing manager, before becoming operations director in 2002.

NEWLY qualified solicitor FAIZA AHMAD has joined the commercial property team of Crutes Law Firm. Ms Ahmad has been with Crutes since July 2003 and qualified at the end of November. Originally from Newcastle, Ms Ahmad studied law at Sheffield and returned to the North-East after finishing her degree. Crutes, which recently opened a Teesside office, works with a number of public and private sector clients throughout the UK. The firm employs more than 200 staff and has 23 partners working in its three offices in Carlisle, Newcastle and Teesside.

BUSINESS Link in the Tees Valley has appointed LOUISE COPPICK as Women into Enterprise Officer. Ms Coppick will focus on the needs of women in business. She is also working with organisations such as banks, regional Business Links and the University of Teesside, to encourage women who have a business idea to start up on their own. She will also help those hoping to become self-employed.

A MAN who began his career as a nurse with private healthcare company Castlebeck has been given responsibility for the operation of seven of its units in the Tees Valley. PETER HARRISON has been made Tees Valley area manager with Castlebeck, which has its head office in Darlington. The 43-year-old, originally from Sunderland, but now living in Chester-le-Street, is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of Castlebeck's units in Darlington, Hartlepool, Bishop Auckland and Barnard Castle. Mr Harrison joined the company in 1991, working as a staff nurse in Whorlton Hall, Barnard Castle, County Durham, before becoming manager. He also managed Castlebeck's autism centre, at Newbus Grange, near Darlington.

Smart and Cook Insurance Brokers, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, has appointed DON GUNNING at its Newcastle offices. Mr Gunning, formerly of HSBC Insurance Brokers, is an account executive. Denis James, director of Smart and Cook's Newcastle offices, said: "Don joins us with over 27 years' experience in the insurance industry.

"His role will be to specifically manage existing clients but also to generate new business opportunities within our region. "His extensive experience and industry knowledge will prove valuable to our team of brokers."

THE Newcastle office of chartered accountancy Tait Walker has made two appointments, taking its total number to more than 100. Joining the tax department as senior tax consultants are ASIM ARSHAD and ERIC COLLINS, both from Newcastle. Mr Arshad, 28, who is training towards his Step (Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners) qualification, has more than six years' experience, having worked for Baker Tilly. Mr Collins has worked in the sector for three years and trained with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He will be responsible for corporate taxation services, including tax returns, payment advice and audit provisions. Andrew Moorby, partner and head of the tax department, said: "I am pleased to welcome Asim and Eric to the firm. Our Newcastle office has a dynamic team and I am sure that they will make a valuable contribution to the office."

KPMG's Newcastle office has made some senior appointments and promotions. ANDY SCAIFE, who has been with the firm for eight years, has been promoted to assistant director in corporate finance. He has specialised in that area since April 2000 and has been involved in a number of transactions, including flotations, private company acquisitions and disposals, management buyouts and finance raising. Mr Scaife was involved in advising in the sale of Bells Stores to Sainsbury's in 2004. MICHELLE LEGG has been appointed as an associate offering transaction services.

She was previously with Haines Watts and has a large number of contacts established through her role as chairwoman of the Durham and Teesside ladies' networking forum. GREG LIMB joins the KPMG tax team in Newcastle to lead the private client advisory group. He joined KPMG in 1997 and established himself as a senior member of KPMG's private client team in Leeds before moving to Newcastle.