JAMES WARREN has joined the growing number of young professionals who are turning their backs on London to forge a career in the North-East.

He has joined North-East fund management firm NEL as a loan executive in the company's Teesside office.

He will provide a first port of call for managers of small and medium-sized businesses looking for investment.

Mr Warren has a degree in accountancy and business and joins NEL from professional services firm Deloitte's London office.

He said: "The business and career opportunities that the North-East has to offer are becoming more and more visible to people right across the country and when I was looking for somewhere to move to that had a lot to offer, it was a natural choice.

"My new role gives me the chance to interact with a wide variety of business people, learning about how they run their businesses, the markets they are operating in and the challenges they are facing.

"It is very rewarding to see my work having a positive effect on the lives of the people I am dealing with and I am thoroughly enjoying being part of what is a thriving business community."