Sir Peter Vardy's son, Richard Vardy, has appointed a financial controller at his new North-East property investment and development company.

Zoe Hartshorn, 33, has joined the team at Aykley Heads, in Durham, and will work on development and funding opportunities in the property market.

Ms Hartshorn, from Cheshire, was previously financial analyst in the property department at Reg Vardy plc in Sunderland, where she was responsible for the financial management of a 120-property portfolio worth £250m.