Michael Drinkwater, 49, has been appointed sales director at Otley-based print and digital campaign consultancy Gecko.

His brief is to expand and develop its blue chip client base.

Mr Drinkwater was previously head of business development at Leeds print group Communisis, where he was responsible for the introduction of e-mail and online applications for clients in the financial sector.

He was also client service director at global outsourcing group Williams Lea. At Gecko he will lead a new national sales team and handle key clients such as Bupa, Shell and Enterprise Inns.