Business Press farming commentator Rob Simpson writes his last column for us next month.

The 29-year-old Yorkshire and North East regional press officer for the National Farmers' Union (NFU) is to become corporate press officer for Siemens UK, the electronics and engineering giant in Bracknell, Berkshire, in March. His career path took him from the University of Central England in Birmingham where he gained an English degree to a journalism course in Sheffield and a job as reporter on the Hull Daily Mail before joining the NFU.

He said: "My four years with the NFU has been very challenging and rewarding. Representatives and staff work tirelessly on behalf of British agriculture which I am sure will turn the corner and become a profitable industry again."

Donald Haymes has been appointed as the director of finance at Tomlinsons, the £10 million turnover volume wholesaler of antique furniture. He will be based at the company's 60,000 sq ft warehouse headquarters at Tockwith, between York and Wetherby.

It is a new post and the first directoral appointment for 20 years for the company which was the 2001 Evening Press Exporter of the Year, a firm which always has more than 5,000 antique pieces in stock with 3,000 new items arriving every month.

He arrives directly from the Ponden Mill head office in Skipton where he has successfully overseen a massive expansion in the retail group - just the sort of expertise wanted by the Tomlinsons board.

Mike Grant, Tomlinson's sales and marketing manager said: "We got to the point where we need more expertise to take the company forward and establish new growth systems to replace ones here that are a decade old, someone with an understanding of cutting edge processes. Donald was the obvious choice.

Mr Haymes said: "I am extremely excited about the prospect of this new job. I have always had an interest in the finer things in life and here at Tomlinsons you are literally surrounded by them".

Rolawn, the Elvington turf grower and topsoil distributor has appointed a new business development manager.

He is David Orchison, 43, who has a strong background and extensive experience in both multi-site management and large format retailing, having previously worked for both C&A and Asda.

Terry Ryan, Rolawn's sales and marketing director, said : "In his new role, David will take over responsibility for the day-to-day running and development of Rowlawn's nationwide depot network. The appointment underlines our intention to build on and develop further the company's existing strong position in the turf and topsoil market".

The Potter Group, the logistics company with a rail spur and warehouse complex at Selby and headquarters at Melmerby Industrial Estate, Ripon, has appointed Brian Imeson as site manager for the distribution centre in Ripon.

His responsibilities include the daily operation of the Northern site putting to good use his knowledge and experience gleaned from an entire working life in the logistics and distribution industry.

Over the next two years many of the key members of operational staff are due to return and he is part of what will ultimately by a new generation at the helm in Ripon.He said: "I am looking forward to the excitement and challenges that will come with the transition to 'new Ripon' and working closely with the exceptional people in the team"

Brian and his wife, Tracy, have a two-year-old son and he took on the task with a second baby on the way soon. He enjoys walking, eating out, computers, squash and travel. The Potter Group, which employs more 30 people at the Ripon HQ, has recently secured several new logistics contracts, in addition to its core agricultural storage and distribution business.

Gamestation, the York-based national video and computer games retailer, and winner of the Evening Press Business of the Year has appointed Andrew Evans as IT manager.

Andrew joins Gamestation from Greene King plc, where he was responsible for all systems within the company, and producing a long-term IT strategy.

Before that, he worked at Zonal Retail Systems and brewery giants Scottish & Newcastle Plc.

His appointment comes as the £60 million firm is riding high, having been bought out by the Blockbuster empire and scooping the ultimate victory in the 2002 Evening Press awards in December.

In his new role at Gamestation, Andrew will be responsible for the support and provision of computers, software, network infrastructure and telecommunications for the entire company, including the headquarters in Stirling Park, Clifton Moor and 72 stores. He will also be in charge of implementing a new end-to-end solution, covering stores, head office, mail order and warehousing.

Stephen Hall, managing director, said: "Andrew was ideal for the role with a background in both retail and IT. Over the next year, the IT department at Gamestation will grow to six members, and the stores network will also substantially increase, so he will be well placed to manage our growing IT needs."

TWO new faces have joined the marketing department of Best Western, the Clifton Moor-based group of independent hotels.

As marketing executives, Nicola Risearm, 22, and Katy Earls, 26, will be responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies to raise national brand awareness for the group which has more than 300 members throughout Britain.

Nicola joins Best Western from Gratterpalm in Leeds, where she worked on the Asda account. Katy joins the team from her previous position as marketing executive at Pitman Training in Wetherby.

Updated: 10:08 Tuesday, January 28, 2003