THREE of the region's leading business figures have been shortlisted for the post as head of regional development agency One NorthEast.

The Northern Echo has learned that Bob Coxon, Margaret Faye and Alistair Balls all made the final round of interviews for the chairmanship of the Government-created organisation.

It means there is no place in the shortlist for proven One NorthEast board members Richard Maudeslay and Alistair Arkley.

A selection panel, including Government Office North East's Jonathan Blackie, will put forward their chosen candidate for approval by Patricia Hewitt, Department of Trade and Industry Secretary of State.

It is understood that more than 20 people from all aspects of business made an initial list for the two-day-a-week post.

The number of applicants was reduced to single figures in a selection process.

The three-man panel appointed to choose the replacement for Dr John Bridge is expected to conduct in-depth interviews next month before announcing the name of the successful candidate in July.

The shortlisted trio are from differing backgrounds.

Mr Balls was formerly chief executive of the Tyne and Wear Development Corporation before becoming chief executive of the International Centre For Life in Newcastle.

Bob Coxon is a senior vice- president of ICI with more than 30 years experience in the chemical industry in roles ranging from business management, marketing, research and production.

For more than a decade he has been chief executive of a number of international businesses, and from 1998 to 2002 was CEO of Synetix, building the business to become a world leader in catalysis.

He is also chairman of One NorthEast's Centre of Excellence for Process Industries.

Ms Faye joined Tyne Tees Television in 1981. Prior to taking over as managing director and general manager in 1997, she was director of operations for Tyne Tees Television and also deputy director of resources for Yorkshire-Tyne Tees Television. She is on the board of Tees Valley Tomorrow.

The selection panel now has an obligation to ensure the best business brain was appointed to the post, according to John Irwin, president of the North-East Chamber of Commerce.

"What business people want is a business person who has had experience of dealing with large companies and small, and understands the North-East," he said.