THREE staff at the Newcastle office of professional services firm Ernst & Young have been appointed to new jobs, as part of a period of strategic growth.

Oxford University graduate CAROLINE MULLOY has been made a director of the firm and will be responsible for developing the firm's activities in a range of areas, including the water industry, listed companies, the education sector, charities and pension schemes.

CHERYL ADAMS has become a manager, which involves overseeing a portfolio of 40 clients. The Newcastle University graduate will work mainly with owner-managed businesses, with responsibility for all the Newcastle office's housing association clients.

Also promoted to management is EMILY SPARGO, who joined the firm in 2002 as a graduate trainee from Newcastle University. Her new role gives her responsibility for audit delivery, communication with audit committee members, managing relationships with clients, and coaching the audit team. She will also be involved in graduate recruitment.