A champion for the region is being sought to help lead the North-East forward in its goal to compete with the world's best.

Regional Development Agency One NorthEast is advertising for a chief executive to take over from Mike Collier, who is retiring from the post in May.

The agency is scouring the country for a dynamic person to help keep the ball rolling.

The successful candidate, commanding a six-figure salary, will be required to ensure delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy by both the agency and partner organisations and to act as a champion and ambassador for the region at the highest levels of Government and business on the regional, national and international stage.

During the four years since its formation, One NorthEast has helped to create or safeguard 45,850 jobs, establish 2,267 new businesses, reclaim 856 hectares of land, and secure £1.1bn of private sector investment in the region.