NORTH Yorkshire animal identification, healthcare and management group Ritchey has appointed SIMON RIDDELL, 44, as managing director of the £7m group with effect from Friday.

He has a degree in land economy from Trinity College, Cambridge, and worked in Procter and Gamble's marketing department, becoming marketing director of Global Babycare. He joins Ritchey from the baby division of £60m Mayborn Group, where he led Sangenic International, directing the development of its nappy disposal system.

Ritchey, founded in 1975, has grown from its core livestock tagging and management products to offer equine, pet and veterinary products and industrial identification systems.

Mr Riddell said: "My role is to further develop the potential of these markets, while fully capitalising on our established position as market leader in livestock identification."

Mr Riddell is married with three children and lives in Stamfordham, Northumberland.