IT company Advantex Network Solutions has appointed JAMES MILLER as an account manager.

He has the task of managing new business and driving forward the Houghton-le-Spring company's growth plans next year.

Operations director David O'Connell said: "James is a key appointment for us, as we look to drive business growth forward next year across all our key public and private sector markets."

Company clients include Nissan, furniture retailer SCS, Caterpillar Articulated Trucks, NSK Steering, Simpson's Malt and wood-based panels manufacturer Egger (UK) Ltd.

* STOCKTON-based independent financial advisors WR Financial Management has appointed LUCY SMITH as client services administrator.

She has joined after gaining an HND in business administration and a degree in human resources from Coventry University.

Managing director Graham Laverick said: "Lucy will be our first graduate recruit through our graduate training programme, and reflects our commitment to reversing the stigma of financial service being a second-choice career.

"If Teesside is going to become another centre of excellence for professional services to the business community, we, as employers, need to recruit locally and invest in staff development over the longer term."

* NORTH-East fund management company NorthStar has appointed a new medical scientist.

RICHARD WATSON, 35, has joined the equity investment company as a deal manager for its Proof of Concept (POC) Fund.

So far, the POC Fund has helped 100 innovative businesses in the region take off. The £10m scheme is designed to help early stage businesses seeking to finance their ideas.

Mr Watson joins the team with a strong background in medical devices and semiconductors.

He has worked in drug delivery product development in Sweden, and also in systems development and cost management at Intel Ireland.

* THE senior partner at the Newcastle office of professional services firm Deloitte has been promoted to lead its manufacturing sector business across the North-East.

PAUL WILLIAMSON will now sit on Deloitte's UK Manufacturing Executive, and will set the strategic direction for the firm's sector work in Yorkshire and the North-East.

He has been a qualified chartered accountant for 25 years, becoming a partner at Deloitte in 1989 and taking over as senior partner for the Newcastle office in 2001.

As senior partner, he looks after the relationship with many of Deloitte's key manufacturing clients in the North-East, including Nissan, Wellstream and Terra Nitrogen.

Mr Williamson said: "The manufacturing sector remains extremely important to both Deloitte's business and to the wider regional and national economy, and we dedicate significant specialist resource to ensuring that clients in this area have access to the services and knowledge they need to help their businesses progress.

"It's a real honour to be leading the firm's manufacturing work across our northern region, and I aim to sustain the significant growth we have enjoyed in this sector in recent years."

* YORK accountants Garbutt and Elliott has appointed TONY TARPEY as director of business development.

The 47-year-old has been with the firm since 1998 and was previously marketing manager.

He is a director of the York Professional Initiative and a former director of Venturefest York.

David Dickson, managing director of Garbutt and Elliott, which also has an office in Leeds, said: "Client service and business development are an integral part of Garbutt and Elliott's strategic plan and Tony's promotion to this new role demonstrates our commitment to growth."

* LOUISE DUFFY has joined commercial law firm Robert Muckle as a banking partner.

Ms Duffy, formerly a partner in the banking and finance team at Pinsent Masons, in Leeds, has worked with leading banks and corporate borrowers, and has experience in acquisition finance, management buyouts and refinancing.

CRAIG SWINHOE has also joined Robert Muckle from Newcastle law firm Ward Hadaway, as an associate in the corporate finance team.

Commercial partner HUGH WELCH has returned to the firm after a six-month sabbatical.

* BARCLAYS Capital, the investment banking division of Barclays Bank, has appointed JAYNE DICKENS as associate director in its real estate finance team.

Ms Dickens will cover the North-East and Yorkshire regions, based in Newcastle, and will be responsible for property business development and new client acquisition.

She will report to David Hardcastle, who joined Barclays Capital from Yorkshire Bank last year.

Ms Dickens joined from the Newcastle Building Society where she was head of the commercial lending department.

* THE Tees Valley Engineering Partnership (TVEP) has appointed SELINE SHAW as marketing assistant.

Ms Shaw, a student who is currently on a placement year from Northumbria University, will work alongside TVEP manager Malcolm Potter to raise awareness of the partnership and promote the advantages of becoming a member.

TVEP has a growing membership of more than 30 engineering companies, which work collectively to promote the region as an area of world-class engineering capability.

Ms Shaw, a marketing management student, will devise a long-term marketing strategy for the partnership.

Malcolm Potter, manager of the TVEP, said: "By promoting the world-class capabilities of Tees Valley engineers, we hope to bring an additional £2.5m of revenue into the sector within the next ten months.

"With a dedicated marketing assistant on-board, the TVEP can now be even more responsive and efficient in working towards this goal.