Thompson Building Centres and its subsidiary Taps Plumbing and Heating Supplies have welcomed two new appointments.
Dave Harding, 50, joins Taps as sales director. He will be based at the head office in Hendon, Sunderland and will oversee the sales representatives along with managing the day-to-day sales activities for the 11 existing Taps branches, as well as the development of new stores and products.

Mr Harding started his working life in the warehouse of a Teesside-based builders merchant in 1976. He gradually climbed the corporate ladder and joins Taps from one of the firm's key suppliers where he was sales manager.

He said: "I've worked with Taps on the supplier side for over a year and I'm now really looking forward to seeing it from the other side and getting to know Taps' customers better."

Karl Dennett, 45, has taken up the role of roofing director at parent company Thompson Building Centres.

He will be based in South Shields and will oversee all five of Thompson's regional depots, where he hopes to streamline the roofing materials on offer and make the more accessible to customers.

Mr Dennett has more than 20 years experience in the roofing trade, including three years as regional manager at Rimus Roofing Supplies.

He said: "Thompson is a very forward thinking company. I am thrilled to be joining the firm at such an exciting time and hope to play a key role in driving things forward in the future."