COACH manufacturer Optare has appointed Alastair Munro appointed as engineering director.

Mr Munro joined Sherburn-in-Elmet based Optare with more then 30 years experience in the management of engineering design and product development in the bus, coach and commercial vehicle industry.

His experience includes 15 years within Volvo Truck and Bus and five years within the Scarborough-based Plaxton/Blue Bird organisation, based in Georgia USA responsible for commercial, school, coach, and RV based products.

Enrico Vassallo, chief executive at Optare, said: "I am pleased to welcome Alastair to Optare he brings with him a wealth of engineering and people development experience from many years working in senior roles within the automotive industry, including an extensive knowledge of bus and coach, gained while working for a number of well known brands within the sector."

YORK social media marketing company Pick & Mix Marketing Solutions has appointed a new marketing executive following a strong start to the year.

Jessica Valenghi brings experience in client rebranding and promotional campaigns to Pick & Mix and will be responsible for looking after social media, advertising, email marketing and website projects.

Earlier this year, editor and freelance copywriter Claire Woffenden also joined the Pick & Mix team to produce content for the company’s clients, including Shambles Market, Landau Parapan, The Tile Company and TLJ Security Systems.

Sally Trousdale, managing director at Pick & Mix Marketing Solutions, said: "We’ve enjoyed a wonderful 2015 so far, with fantastic results for many of our existing clients and we’ve also secured a number of exciting new projects too.

"As a result we’ve attracted brilliant new talent and strengthened the team. We’re looking forward to what the rest of the year will bring."

BE Independent, York’s provider of equipment and response service, has recently appointed a new non-executive director to its board.

Clive W Leach CBE has held leading roles in the development of sport, health, education, training, the arts and commerce.

He has also been both managing director and chairman of Yorkshire Television as well as chairman of Leeds Health Authority.

Be Independent chief executive Heather Barden said: "I am delighted to welcome Clive to the Be Independent Board as a non-executive director.

"It is a privilege that Clive has shown such an interest in Be Independent and is working with us to help continue the organisation’s success."