ALISTAIR Arkley has been appointed chairman of the Northern Business Forum - the organisation trying to ensure that the priorities of the private sector are reflected in the work of the region's key agencies.

Mr Arkley, chairman of New Century Inns, has agreed to take on the role following the retirement of Peter Allan.

Mr Arkley has a long record of involvement in both regional and business affairs, having served on the board of regional development agency One NorthEast, chairing its business affairs committee and leading the review of business support services in the North-East. He also chairs the Tees Valley Partnership.

During his career in the brewing industry, Mr Arkley was managing director of Cameron Brewing and Brent Walker Brewing and Trading, before becoming chief executive of Century Inns. Following the takeover of Century Inns in 1999, he founded New Century Inns, which has rapidly gained recognition as one of the most successful small pub companies in the industry.

Mr Arkley plans to hold the forum role for what he described as a period of transition.

He said: "I have agreed to take on the chair of the NBF for the period running through to its annual general meeting in June, because I believe it is important that business in the region has a forum which can express the widest possible consensus of views and build effective links with agencies such as One NorthEast, the Government Office for the North East and the regional assembly."

George Cowcher, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce and a Northern Business Forum steering group member, said:

"On behalf of the steering group, we are delighted to have Alistair on board to lead the forum in this new phase of development."