RICHARD Masefield just can't help being hospitable.

He may have just retired as the successful business manager of the welcoming Bar Convent in York, but that has not stopped him from accepting his new election as chairman of the York Hospitality Association.

He said: "The Association is an up and coming organisation dedicated to working hard and playing hard. We constantly work in partnership with the Yorkshire Tourist Board, York Tourism Bureau and the City of York Council to keep standards high in York, for residents and visitors alike. I am clearly taking over an organisation, which is moving in the right direction."

He urged all guest house owners, small or large hotels, restaurants and attractions in the city, to consider joining.

"We are a non-profit-making organisation striving to help smaller businesses. We work very hard to ensure our members take up their allocation of training places, which we underwrite. The YHA also brokers meetings and advice sessions on topical issues of relevance, while our social programme allows us to relax with like-minded people in similar fields."

He succeeds Mike Harrison, who presided over a successful recruitment drive - from 107 to 140 establishments, with extra cash raised going towards members' training needs.

Any organisation interested in joining should phone Michael Hjort or Debbie Waite at 01904 635149.

Lancsville Rail Limited, the York-based engineering company, has appointed Ernie Dearley as commericial director.

Mr Dearnley, who is responsible for the commercial and financial aspects of the business, is a chartered quantity surveyor with more than 30 years' experience in the construction and railway industries working for major players such as Wimpey, Serco and latterly Spencers as commercial manager.

Phillip Sash, Lancsville Rail's managing director, said: "Ernie possesses the commercial acumen and experience we need to take the business forward."

FORMER England Rugby Union international Dave Ruddock has joined Nidd Vale Saab in Harrogate as sales manager.

He has ten years experience as a sales manager in the motor retail sector and joins from a South Yorkshire-based Saab dealership where he held a similar post.

Before a leg injury ended a promising rugby career, Dave played for England Colts and at senior level for Yorkshire. He was also closely involved in the game - both playing and coaching - in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Colin Hainstock, chairman and chief executive of the Nidd Vale Group, said: "Dave has excellent Saab sales experience and joins us at an exciting time with the launch of the new Saab 93 convertible."

DAVID Taylor has been appointed managing director of Harrogate-based ICIS Technology Ltd

The company, which also has an office in Cirencester, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens Power Generation, which acquired it in July last year.

Mr Taylor takes over a major supplier to the energy sector of Control and Instrumentation (C & I) services as well as to Siemens Power IT Solutions.

For more than 25 years he has worked in the software solution and C & I areas in Europe, with focus on the German and UK markets mainly in a general management capacity for U.S-based companies.

He is a former European managing director for Intellution, the UK managing director for Stratus Computers, sales director for Tandem Computers and most recently, European managing director for Symark Software.

He said: "I am enthusiastic about the potential we see in bringing all the Siemens Power IT Solutions to energy industry customers here in the UK and Ireland.

"And for those Power IT Solutions developed at ICIS, we see a large potential to expand their deployment worldwide via Siemens."

Ward Building Components of Sherburn, near Malton, has appointed Mike McCarthy as national sales manager for its innovative Rooftile insulated panel product range.

Mike's new appointment is in line with Ward's significant growth and development plans for Rooftile. He was previously commercial manager for Interlink North, part of Ward, which specialises in bespoke flashing, trims and rainwater systems.

Since its launch, Ward Rooftile has helped many projects attain planning permission where the need to complement the surrounding properties has been a paramount consideration. In response to this demand, Ward has recognised the need to provide dedicated product support with the new sales structure.

In his new role, Mike will head up a team of Rooftile sales staff, including John Hutchinson, northern area sales manager and Clive Dorrans, southern area sales manager.

Launched in 2002, Rooftile is fast gaining support from architects and specifiers for its insulation properties and its aesthetically pleasing properties. Its single fix installation eliminates individual tile fixing and enables up to 50 per cent faster construction time than traditional methods.It is being sold as a real alternative to traditional clay pantile roof tiles

RYEDALE Housing Association, part of the Yorkshire Housing Group, has appointed Sarah McManus to the newly-created post of services development manager.

Based at the association's Malton headquarters, Sarah's task will be to oversee the organisation's housing management procedures to ensure that they are being applied consistently. Another part of her new role will be to develop tenant participation.

Sarah, 34, worked for almost four years as a legal aid housing caseworker for the Citizens' Advice Bureau in Middlesbrough. Before that she spent six years as a housing officer at Thirsk-based Broadacres Housing Association, North Yorkshire.

She said: "I am looking forward to the challenge of this important new role to develop services at Ryedale Housing Association."

Mercedes-Benz of York has strengthened its sales force with the appointment of Mark Maynard as a sales executive for both new and used cars.

Mark has nine years experience in the motor trade having originally joined a Hull-based dealership as a sales trainee. During his career with the firm he won the top salesman award for seven consecutive years and was subsequently promoted to assistant manager.

The motor retailer, which also has a centre in Scarborough, achieved more than 450 new car sales during the three months July-September 2003, far exceeding its business target.

Mark Tomlinson, group general sales manager for Mercedes-Benz North Yorkshire, said: "A continuing high level of sales has made it necessary to recruit. I am delighted that Mark has joined us and I am sure he will prove a valuable asset to the team."

LAW firm Harrowell Shaftoe of York is expanding its private client department with the recruitment of two solicitors, bringing the total to 14.

They are Helen Marshall, who studied law at Cambridge, and joins from London practice Berwin Leighton Paisner, where she advised high net worth clients on taxation, trusts and estate planning issues; and Ed Ryder, a graduate from Hull University and the College of Law in York. He joins from Yorkshire law firm, Rollits.

Both appointments are signs of the dramatic growth in demand for specialist legal advice concerning wealth preservation as property values rise and more people recognise the value of expert professional guidance.

William Miers, head of Harrowell Shaftoe's private client department, said: "Rising property prices mean that more and more people will find their estates are liable for inheritance tax. It is vital that they receive specialist guidance on how they can pass on their wealth in the most tax efficient manner.

"These new appointments will strengthen our team and enable the firm to continue to meet the demand for these highly specialised services."

Updated: 09:39 Tuesday, November 25, 2003