Desco goes for growth with six new appointments.

DEVELOPMENT plans for a major North East-based engineering practice are coming to fruition.

Desco, a mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy based at Doxford International Business Park, has recently opened a satellite office in Newcastle and the company's directors are now delighted to also announce a number of key management team appointments.

Jeff Clarke has joined Desco as an electrical associate director. A chartered engineer, Jeff brings to the team many years of both project design and management experience, gained most recently as assistant group manager within the engineering design department at Newcastle City Council.

Danny Strickland has been promoted to mechanical associate director. Danny, a mechanical engineer and registered low carbon consultant, joined the practice in 2004 and has led a number Desco's large projects, counting the mechanical design of the recently completed award-winning Baltic Campus for Gateshead College among his latest achievements.

Both Jeff and Danny will manage a team in their respective disciplines, based in the practice's recently opened satellite office in Newcastle. John Douthwaite has been promoted to electrical associate director in Desco's Sunderland office. John has been with Desco since 2006. Using his recent experience gained on the St Luke's project, a new-build PFI hospital scheme in Middlesbrough, chartered engineer John will take specific responsibility for managing future major project bids.

The continued steady growth of the practice has given rise to the need for further support across the business administration functions. In line with this, three new key management roles have been identified. Steve Minto has been promoted to quality manager. Steve joined Desco in 2007 as a technical document controller.

He will use his knowledge and experience of document control systems in his new role to manage and develop Desco's quality management systems.

Lesley Peart has been promoted to office manager. Lesley has been with Desco since its founding in 1998.

Jayne Rutter has been promoted to marketing manager. Jayne joined Desco in 2004 as a marketing assistant. Since then, the marketing function has developed alongside the growth of the business and Jayne's new role will see her taking on additional responsibilities.

Commenting on the appointments, Desco director Paul Marshall said: "Since setting up the practice in 1998, Desco has enjoyed steady business growth.

"More recently we have experienced increased demand for our services due to our in-house availability of qualified low carbon consultants and knowledge of renewable energy design solutions.

"These are exciting times for Desco and we are pleased this growth allows us to continue to offer opportunities for people to progress with the practice. On behalf of all of the directors, I congratulate these six members of staff and wish them all the best in their new roles."

CAPTION(S):

NEW CHALLENGES From left, Jeff Clarke, Danny Strickland, Jayne Rutter, John Douthwaite, Lesley Peart and Steve Minto.