The Helmsley Group has announced the appointment of four new directors to support the future growth of the company. Ian McAndrew and James Craven have become directors of Helmsley Securities Ltd, the group's property investment and property development company, and Sue Jones has become a director for Helmsley Acceptances Ltd, the group's commercial lending arm. Richard Couldwell has also become an associate director of Helmsley Acceptances Ltd. Ian has been driving forward Helmsley's £100 million property development portfolio and has been involved in a number of the region's most prestigious office and residential developments, including Lendal Tower, a 14th century York landmark, and Blake Mews, the redevelopment of an electrical shop at 3-5 Blake Street in York into two shop/office units, two apartments and two mews cottages. Ian has also been at the forefront of developing the blueprint for Helmsley's Eco Business Centre, a purpose built environmentally friendly sustainable business centre designed specifically for the needs of small emerging businesses requiring small flexible modern business accommodation. Steering Helmsley's syndicated property arm, James has been responsible for helping Helmsley's client base of high net worth of individuals and pension funds to acquire stakes in commercial properties throughout the UK as part of a balanced portfolio. James has driven forward this part of the business from a portfolio value of £4.5 million in 2002 to £52 million today – with no borrowing attached. Sue, who has been with the company for more than 11 years, looks after the main Helmsley accounts for syndicated loans and Richard Couldwell, who joined Helmsley in 2006, has helped increase Helmsley's property-related commercial lending division by more than 70% in the last two years. Chairman for The Helmsley Group John Reeves says: "I have been really impressed with how Ian, James, Sue and Richard have contributed in driving the success of the business and am looking forward to working with them to continue to expand in the future as part of our strategic growth."