Burlescombe-based XYZ Machine Tools (www.xyzmachinetools.com) has appointed Eric Tollet as area sales manager for north-east England.

Based in Hebburn, he will cover the area from Yorkshire up to the Scottish border region. Mr Tollet served a full modern apprenticeship in Gateshead, before going on to gain ONC, HNC and HND qualifications in Mechatronics.

He has since worked in the machine tool industry, starting as a service engineer before moving on to project engineering and then sales — a role he has had for the past five years.