IT'S been a busy few weeks for Henry Breese, the new managing director of Westler Foods Ltd near Malton.

Henry, 35,became the third generation member of the Breese family (and the youngest ever) to take up the reins at one of the UK's leading independent food manufacturers - a mere three weeks after the birth of his daughter Gemma.

Henry follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, the late Brigadier Charles Breese, who formed the company in 1960, and his father Iain Breese, who continues as chairman.

Westler Foods, which employs 250 people at its Amotherby site, is best known for its hot dogs which are sold in seaside resorts, cinema chains and leisure parks up and down the country. It also specialises in producing fillings for jacket potatoes and Mexican food.

Henry who lives at Ebberston, near Scarborough, joined Westler Foods three years ago as a consultant before being offered the position of financial director. He trained as a chartered accountant in Newcastle and was among the top six by examination in the North East when he qualified.

After two years working in a practice he transferred to one of his clients as group financial controller of a £30 million business producing synthetic colours. He was promoted to group financial director of the company which was subsequently taken over by a US outfit.

Henry's next stint was for the investment group 3i where he was put in place, at their request, as financial director at a major investment with Public Access Terminals before he moved on to set up a business dealing with DVD advertising. At 35 he is the youngest MD ever appointed by Westler Foods.

He said: "We have many exciting new product launches in the pipeline and while we are making huge strides in our markets we shall never lose sight of the fact that we are still a family firm which is a responsible local employer."

The Continuum Group, the York-based industry leader in the operation, management and design of tourism, heritage and visitor attractions, has expanded its marketing division with the appointment of Heidi Folland as PR Manager.

Heidi joins the action marketing team within Continuum, primarily responsible for managing the group's corporate communications, as well as the PR campaign for client company, the Jorvik Viking Centre.

The action marketing team provides strategic marketing and PR services to a range of visitor attractions throughout the UK, including Castle Howard in Yorkshire and Edinburgh's new world-class heritage attraction, The Real Mary King's Close.

With more than 12 years' PR and marketing experience, Heidi previously worked for Harrison Cowley, the national PR consultancy, where she was a senior account director responsible for managing the Leeds office.

Janet Baverstock, group marketing manager for the Continuum Group said: "Following the growth of the company over the last year and the development of new projects like the Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower - a national icon on the South coast opening later this year - we have decided to extend the Action Marketing Team with a new PR manager.

LUXURY house builder Hogg the Builder, which develops exclusive homes in villages around the Vale of York, has appointed Michael Flude as sales and marketing manager.

Michael has more than 30 years' experience in the house building industry. Originally from Derby, he has held sales and marketing positions with Wimpey Homes, Tarmac Group, David Wilson Homes and most recently spent four years with Fairview Homes in London.

He said: "Hogg has an excellent reputation for building top quality homes and it is this attention to detail and commitment to quality and customer service that has impressed me the most. I am looking forward to working with the team to develop the business further and to continue to deliver such high levels of customer care."

Michael's appointment comes as the company predicts a bumper year for the North Yorkshire housing market and has doubled its sales target for 2004.

Michael said: "House buyers are becoming more discerning about the quality and location of their homes. This is excellent news for a popular region such as Yorkshire where there is a growing market for the high quality, individual homes in village locations in which Hogg the builder excels."

Hogg the Builder has specialised in premium-quality homes throughout the Vale of York and Selby for over 35 years and recently sold its 700th house.

David Bone is planning for the future after joining Pocklington-based Sundora Foods.

The 42-year-old has been appointed planning manager at the Burnby Lane company.

His responsibilities include planning production of Sundora's extensive range of own-label and branded dried fruit and nut products for major supermarkets.

"My role is fairly wide and challenging," said David, who lives in Todmorden. "There are many strands to the job, but the bottom line is scheduling production to ensure orders are met on time, and improving the long-term business planning." David joins Sundora from Manchester-based Adams confectionery where he was demand manager. He was formerly a production planner for Smith & Nephew, in Hull, after starting his career as a navigator in the RAF.

Away from work his main interests include climbing and other outdoor sports. David, who originally hails from Newcastle, also enjoys following the fortunes of Newcastle Falcons and Newcastle United.

LEX Commercials, the York based LDV main dealer, has appointed Phil Thompson to join its continually expanding dealership as van sales specialist.

He joins Lex Commercials in Auster Road, Clifton Moor, from Hull-based Land Rover, where he was sales executive for four years.

Phil, 55, has 22 years experience in the motor industry. As part of his remit, Phil will be responsible for all new and used van sales, updating the customer database and generating new business.

He said: "I intend to see that Lex Commercials York continues to maintain and build on its previous success."

Richard Anderson, Lex Commercials York's franchise manager added: "With the company's expansion comes the need for additional staff and I'm delighted to welcome Phil to Lex Commercials York."

The Clifton Moor dealership has been trading for 14 years and employs more than ten people. It supplies both new and used vehicles, has a parts department, parts delivery service, courtesy vehicles, after sales backup and LDV's fast-fit facility VANfit.

TOP commercial property lawyer, Colin Dixon, has been appointed as a partner and head of property of Harrogate and Leeds law firm McCormicks.

Colin joins McCormicks from national practice RadcliffesLeBrasseur. He specialises in all forms of property transactions, with principal focus on development, institutional sales and acquisitions, and leasing. Clients have included Tesco, Dixons, UCI Cinemas and Six Continents plc (Bass).

Richard Moran, head of corporate at McCormicks, said: "Colin has a great deal of skill and experience in a number of the property areas on which we want to concentrate. The addition of his expertise and leadership gives us a real opportunity to forge ahead in the property market."

Colin trained at Freshfields in London, where he worked for two years following his qualification as a solicitor, then moved to Addleshaw Goddard, in Leeds. Four years later he headed up CMS Cameron McKenna's property team in Budapest, Hungary.

Colin's assistant solicitor, Alison Batty, has also joined McCormicks.

She deals with all types of commercial property transactions, including landlord, tenants and development matters.

Updated: 09:43 Tuesday, March 23, 2004