PRIVATE healthcare company Castlebeck has appointed TONY McLEAN as chief operating officer.

He will take up his position at Darlington-based Castlebeck, which specialises in healthcare and rehabilitation services for adults with learning disabilities, in January next year.

He said: "After 21 years' working in the health service, I am delighted to be returning at this stage in my career and look forward to helping Castlebeck with its development plans."