Three new high-ranking appointments have been made to the board of directors at Carlisle-based Story Contracting.

Lindsey Pownall, who also has a leading role with Tesco, has been made non-executive director of the company which has its head office in Burgh Road.

She was appointed non-executive director of Tesco in April last year and chairs its corporate responsibility committee.

Awarded an OBE in January this year, Lindsey also holds a non-executive directorship of the Meadow Foods independent dairy group.

She said: “I am delighted to be joining Story Contracting. It is an outstanding business with a fantastic history and track record, but also great future potential.

"It is vital that the UK has the best infrastructure going forward and Story Contracting is playing an important role in ensuring this."

In addition the family-owned business which provides building, civil engineering and plant services to the rail and construction industries across the north of England and Scotland has appointed Dave Prior to the position of Story Contracting's commercial director.

Dave joins Story from the Doncaster-based VolkerRail specialist railway infrastructure company,

He said: “The role of commercial director is a new position within Story Contracting, derived to demonstrate a vision by the business for significant growth within robust commercial controls.

"I am looking forward to working with the board and delivery teams within Story Contracting during an impressive time of growth.”

Helen Jameson has been appointed Story Contracting’s human resources director. She previously held a similar role with a national charity and has worked in the same capacity within the motor industry.

She said: “It’s great to have joined the Story family at such an exciting period of growth. We have recently reached 600 employees in our 30th year which is a fantastic achievement for Story Contracting."

Jason Butterworth, Story Contracting's chief executive officer, said he was delighted to have Lindsey, Dave and Helen on the board.

"We have very exciting plans for our future growth and are fortunate to have a very supportive chairman in Fred Story," he said.

"It is essential we remain true to our values and customers, and safety will continue to underpin everything we do. I look forward to supporting this great country as we continue to invest in its infrastructure and thereby in its future.”