ELECTRONICS company Stadium Group has appointed Joanne Estell as its finance director.

She replaces Colin Wilson, who is standing down as both finance director and company secretary of the Hartlepool-based business in order to pursue outside business interests.

Chartered management accountant Estell joins Stadium from marine safety and survival equipment manufacturer Survitec Group. She has also worked for the Whitbread group and engineers, the Smiths Group.

As finance director of specialised businesses for the £900m turnover John Crane, the mechanical seals division of Smiths, she led the acquisition process of Orion Corporation in the US.

Stephen Phipson, Stadium chief executive officer, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Joanne to the board as finance director and her appointment comes at a crucial stage of our development as we move from a business focused primarily on EMS into a wider IP rich technology business with improved quality of earnings. I would like to thank Colin for his valuable contribution to Stadium.