JIM Bethell, aged 54, has been appointed Managing Director of Manchester Airport Developments.

He has moved to the new job from Standard Chartered Bank in London, where he was Group Head of Global property with a portfolio of more than 2,500 properties and an annual property spend of nearly £400 million.

Earlier in his career he was Group Property Manager for Tootall Group, working in Spring Gardens, Manchester for the shirts and ties textiles group.

In his new job his task will be "to oversee effective construction, design and procurement activities and to maximise airport-related development opportunities."