The MD of a PR company in the region has been chosen as the new chief executive of one of its most influential business organisations.

North East England Chamber of Commerce has announced its new leader will be John McCabe, a former President and the managing director of Fusion PR Creative.

Heading the Chamber from early October he will be responsible for the region’s largest independent business organisation, taking over from James Ramsbotham.

He started his career in PR with Northumbrian Water before moving to communications roles with Transco and Newcastle Building Society before establishing his own business with the launch of Fusion.

He said this morning: “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed Chamber chief executive and to be joining a great team, doing such important work for our region.

“Our members will always be at the heart of everything the Chamber does and I will be immensely proud to be their advocate and champion at home and internationally. Together, we can build a stronger North East on the foundations of a fairer, more sustainable and inclusive economy.

“The North East has been hard hit by the pandemic and many of our members are continuing to experience great difficulty as a consequence of exiting the European Union. We must do all we can to shape a future that enables our incredible businesses to flourish and achieve their full potential.

“I also hope we can work with government to deliver a levelling up agenda that has a focus on people and opportunity as well as on critical investment in infrastructure.

“It will be a wrench to leave Fusion having launched the business eight and a half years ago. I am very confident the business has a bright future under new ownership.”

John Marshall, Chamber chair said: “As expected we had a high level of interest from applicants in our recruitment process.There was though always one stand out candidate and that was John.

“I am very much looking forward to working with him, alongside our President Lesley Moody, as we plan the next chapter for the Chamber championing and supporting our members and the region."