MICHAEL RYDER has been appointed group property maintenance manager at Vimac Leisure.

The role involves looking after properties in the Vimac estate from South Yorkshire to Scotland.

He has been involved in building design and management for 25 years, having worked in architectural practice, consultant civil and structural engineering.

Founded in 2002 and based in Boldon, near South Shields, South Tyneside, the company has achieved an annual turnover of more than £12m in only three years, employs 650 people and plans to make more acquisitions this year.