Gavin Prior

The 28-year-old has moved from Watford to take up the post at Europe's largest shopping and leisure centre.

He was previously operations manager at the Harlequin Shopping Centre, in Watford.

He began working with Harlequin, also part of Capital Shopping Centres' portfolio, in 1996 in the administration and accounts department before progressing to services manager (operations) and then operations manager, in 2003.

He said: "I am delighted to be moving north to the MetroCentre to take up such a high-profile role.

"I enjoy the variation that operations allows and appreciate the chance to work on different projects every day, in addition to getting a buzz from leading a team.

"And of course, as I enjoy socialising - my decision to move to the North-East was made easier as it has such a wonderful reputation and I am looking forward to seeing exactly what the area has to offer."

Glassfibre manufacturer Lamplas, in Durham, has appointed MICHAEL GALLAGHER as business development manager.

The 41-year-old, from Chester-le-Street, spent the first 13 years of his career with Lamplas and, since 1994, has gained sales experience in several industries.

"We targeted Michael specifically for this position," said Lamplas operations director Keith Siddle. "He has the unique combination of valuable experience in composites, knowledge of our business and a breadth of sales experience with small-to-major blue-chip companies.

"This has given him the skills and ability we are looking for to develop the business further outside our traditional leisure markets and move it on to the next stage in its development."

Lamplas operates two sites in Derwentside and employs 100 people. The company supplies the leisure market, including leading caravan and motor home manufacturers.

Recruitment agency North East Workforce (NewGroup), in Newcastle, has appointed NICOLA HEWITT as industrial consultant.

She will be responsible for developing the industrial, catering and security side of the business.

The mother-of-two from Gateshead worked in social care recruitment before joining NewGroup. Before that, she was a mental health advocate.

She said: "Having worked in the psychiatric and mental health sectors for 13 years, I was ready for a new focus and the opportunity with NewGroup provided me with an exciting new challenge."

CRUTES law firm has promoted two of its senior fee-earners to associates.

JOANNE KINGSLAND and MARK DOUGLAS work in Crutes' public services department, dealing with local authorities and their insurers.

That includes a specialist area dealing with sensitive and high-profile claims, involving child abuse and bullying.

Ms Kingsland studied at Sheffield University and returned to the North-East after graduation. She has been with the firm since January 1995 working on local authority claims. Mr Douglas started his career with Crutes in 1989 as an office junior and was offered the position of trainee in 1990.

His work involves defendant litigation, including employers' liability.

Crutes has offices in Newcastle and Teesside.

Tristar Homes, based in Stockton, has appointed STEVE BOYD as managing director.

The 46-year-old, from Newcastle, has more than 20 years' experience in the housing industry and will lead a team of 280 employees.

He previously spent 12 years as chief executive at Nomad Homes, in Newcastle, after achieving an MBA in 1990.

At 28, he was one of the youngest people to reach the position of chief officer in local government.

Chairman of Tristar Homes John McDougall said: "We were looking for an inspirational leader with a proven track record and Steve proved to be just that.

"We advertised nationally for the position and received a huge number of exceptionally high-calibre candidates."

Tristar Homes is a not-for-profit company of Stockton Borough Council and has been set up to take over the day-to-day management and maintenance of most of the council's housing stock.