JOHN Noone has been appointed managing director of Durham and Carlisle-based H&H Insurance Brokers (HHIB).

He has 30 years' experience in the industry and was previously managing director of Bishop-Skinner Insurance Brokers of Newcastle.

HHIB specialises in rural and commercial insurance and has enjoyed considerable growth in recent years – recently opening an office in North Wales – and Mr Noone will be responsible for its future development, direction and performance.

During the past year, the company has expanded both its commercial and rural insurance offerings and has opened its own dedicated specialist livestock division, in-Livestock.

Mr Noone, who is a Chartered Insurance Broker and has an MSc in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management, is working toward accreditation as a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

He said: "My aim is to work with our highly experienced team to grow the business and take it to the next stage of development."

Brian Richardson, H&H Group chief executive, said: "The business already has a significant market share in the North of England and we look to further develop this from the excellent base we have."