A DESIGNER from the North-East has been appointed to one of the best roles in the car industry.

Peter Horbury will become vice-president of design at Volvo Car Corporation.

Mr Horbury, 59, who is originally from Darlington, will take up the role from May 1.

Mr Horbury previously worked for Volvo as its design director, beginning in 1991. When he moved to Ford in 2004, he helped spearhead design teams for the 2008 Ford Focus and Flex, the 2008 F-150 and the 2010 models of the Taurus, Fusion, Mustang and Milan.

Mr Horbury received his master’s degree in automotive design from the Royal College of Art in 1974 after an undergraduate degree from Newcastle College of Art and Industrial Design in 1972. He was named Autocar’s Designer of the Year in 1998.

During his 35-year career, he has been involved in the design of more than 60 cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles.

He said: “I’m extremely pleased to be back with Volvo. It has a very strong design identity and it will be a privilege to work with the team and contribute to the turn-around.”