Thomas Consulting, of Matrix Park, provides a single point of contact for clients requiring engineering design services for civil and structural engineering, site investigation and contaminated land.

The firm was originally based in the centre of Preston but moved to Matrix Park in 2006 because it provided a better base for servicing its clients' needs which extend across the whole of the North West and in to Yorkshire.

Kieron Hounslow's new role will see him heading technical standards throughout the firm, whilst John Sumner will be heading technical standards within the civil engineering division.

The firm has other offices in Telford and Lancaster and provides design services for highways, drainage, land drainage, together with structural engineering design of bridges commercial, retail and residential structures.

Partner David Wyatt said: "Our aim is to able to take our clients through the complete development process from initial site appraisal of ground and contamination issues, to final hand over of the completed development."