THE Manchester North mid corporate team at Barclays -- based in Bolton since a re-structuring exercise in May -- has appointed two women managers who operate in Bolton.

Administration for an area which includes Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale and Bury has been centralised in Bolton.

But managers in the 40-strong team now work "location independent" with the aid of laptop computers.

The new appointees are 35-year-old Eileen Murphy and Heather Newby, aged 31.

Eileen, who lives in Astley Bridge and is married with two children, joined Barclays after A levels at Mount St Joseph's school.

Her previous job was local manager within Barclays' Wealth Management division.

Heather, who is married with one child and lives in Crawshawbooth, joined Barclays 11 years ago after graduating with a first class honours degree in Economics at Manchester University.

Eileen said the laptops meant that they were not office bound and therefore able to spend more time with customers.

She said they could be more flexible in the way they managed their day.

"It is very helpful if you want to do your paperwork when the kids are in bed," she said.