AN award-winning engineering design firm has made a new appointment to continue its success.

K Home International, based in Thornaby, near Stockton, has revealed Amanda McMahon as its manager of engineering.

Ms McMahon is a chartered engineer and associate member of the Chartered Management Institute, and takes over at the Queen's Award-winning company from Rob Mietelski.

Peter Kay, K Home's engineering director, said: “We welcome Amanda into her new role and hope that her success will encourage other young women into the engineering profession.

“We also thank Rob, Amanda’s predecessor, and wish him well in his retirement.”

Last year, K Home revealed it had signed a deal with SNF Oil and Gas to provide civil engineering design services for a new specialist chemical factory making products for the offshore oil and gas industries and water treatment plants.

The factory, on land near the GrowHow fertiliser plant, in Billingham, near Stockton, is expected to employ up to 250 workers when it opens at the end of the year.

The company's founder and chairman, Ken Home, was given an honorary degree at Teesside University in November.

Mr Home, who previously received an OBE, was made a doctor of business administration in recognition of his 40 years' success in the Tees Valley.