THE award-winning Provenance Inns Group has appointed Iain Pilcher as area manager with responsibility for the Black Bull Inn at Moulton and The Carpenters Arms at Felixkirk, Thirsk.

He joined the company in January as general manager of the Black Bull, overseeing the renovations and successful opening which saw it shortlisted as "Dining Pub of the Year" in The Flavour of Herriot Country Awards 2014.

Previously with Shire Hotels, he has more than 14 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and will oversee the launch of 16 new luxury bedrooms at the Black Bull in the Spring.

Michael Ibbotson, managing director of Provenance Inns, which was recently named Pub Group of the Year in The Good Pub Guide 2015, said: “Provenance Inns is a growing company and we have big plans to expand on the back of our success. We always apply the same attention to detail, quality and investment in our staff as we do to all our inns and it is always a pleasure to be able to reward our staff by promoting from within and keeping them in the family.”