Movers and shakers

Joanne Thompson, chief executive of the software firm Penrillian in Penrith has been named as one of the '100 women to watch' in the Female FT-SE Board report released by Cranfield University.

She joined the company last year and has set about changing its business model to expand into the 'software as a service' market.

Tracy Calvert, the public relations and communications manager for Carlisle-based Story Homes, has received chartered practitioner status with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). She was assessed on her skills, knowledge and competencies in ethics.

She has been with the company, which has its headquarters at Kingmoor Park, for more than two years.

Also at Story Homes Tim Farnworth, who has been with the North West team for six months, has been promoted to become head of commercial and will be based out of the Chorley office.

Bethany Matthias, who runs a production line at Bells of Lazonby's 'free from' bakery has been shortlisted for the rising star prize at the Baking Industry Awards.

Miss Matthias has been with the firm since 2010 and took part in its apprenticeship programme. She will find out if she has won at a ceremony in London in September.

Insurance broker Marsh has appointed Chris Milnes as head of the firm’s Carlisle and Newcastle offices.

He is joining the company from Aon, in Dubai, where he led the corporate sales team and was responsible for new business development across the Middle East.

Ann Tyson has joined Robson & Liddle Chartered Surveyors in Penrith, where she will be a PA to directors John Robson and Julie Liddle.

She has worked in administration roles in several different organisations including Cumbria Constabulary.