YORK teepee and tent specialist PapaKåta has appointed a new managing director as the firm celebrates ten years in business.

Tony Ward has been given the leading role in what has been described as a "critical point in the company's development", as PapaKåta marks its first decade with the expansion of its northern headquarters at Sherburn-in-Elmet alongside the opening of a new southern base.

Mr Ward, who has been advising the business in a consultant role for 12 months, takes over from Andrew Lowson, who has just been appointed as executive director the York Bid.

Described by the company as "a logistics specialist with strong leadership and recruitment experience", Mr Ward established Force 10 Recruitment Ltd, a specialist recruitment agency that assists Ex Armed force personal, some of whom have been recruited to the PapaKåta crew, following 24 years military experience. His knowledge of the outdoor events industry comes from his time at Field and Lawn Marquees.

Richard Monaghan, founder and director at PapaKåta, said: "As PapaKåta turns ten this year, we’ve reached a critical point in the company’s development, achieving some key milestones including our headquarters move and South base.

"However, the times feels right to have someone of Tony’s business experience join the PapaKåta team to lead us on the next step of journey."

Mr Ward added: "PapaKåta is a fantastic business success story, but there’s huge potential to be exploited.

"My goal is to help them grow from a £2.5 million to £5 million turnover sustainable business in the next five years, offering greater careers opportunities for our current staff and creating employment opportunities both here at Sherburn -in- Elmet and Henley-on-Thames.

"This growth will come from making PapaKåta an all year round business, delivering larger events, and expansion in the South, where our Teepees and Sperry Tents have seen initial strong sales."

A catalyst to the ambitious expansion plans has been a grant from the Regional Growth Fund of £240,000 by the York, North Yorkshire & East Riding Enterprise Partnership. Papakåta currently has 25 full-time employees, which increases to more than 70 in the high summer season, when last year its crew set up outdoor structures for more than 300 weddings, parties and corporate events across the country.