The chief executive of Elementis Plc, Geoff Gaywood, has resigned with immediate effect, it was announced yesterday. Non-executive chairman Edward Bramson will become executive chairman, the company said. Elementis, which has a factory at Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, recently reported a half-year loss of £3.1m after heavy exceptional charges, but said revenues had improved in all four of its divisions in the first half. Yesterday's statement said current trading performance was in line with expectations for continued improvement in the second half of the year.

Tourism awards: Hotels, attractions and pubs are among those being urged to enter for awards being launched today to recognise the rising stars of the region's tourism industry. Tom Wright, chief executive of VisitBritain, will be at Beamish Open Air Museum, near Stanley, County Durham, to mark the launch of the North-East England Tourism Awards, which will be presented in October. The winners will represent the North-East in the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence. For an entry pack and details of all categories call Val Lowther on 0191-229 6200 or Bernice Saltzer on 0191-265 6111.

Profits rise: Interim profits at Bradford and Bingley have risen eight per cent and the buy-to-let specialist has also reported a pick-up in demand. Overall, gross new lending fell to £3.1bn from £4.8bn in the first half of last year, although balances increased by five per cent to £29.3bn and net income from lending increased by seven per cent to £155.8m.

JOB SECURITY: Workers are feeling more secure in their jobs after an improvement in confidence over the past year, according to a survey by Lloyds TSB. Fewer than one in five of those questioned said their job was less secure than 12 months ago. But one in three believed employment prospects were worse.

Student debt: The amount of debt students are graduating with has nearly quadrupled since 2000, figures showed. People leaving university this year expect to owe an average of £12,640 each, compared with the £3,174 students owed in 2000, according to NatWest's annual graduate debt survey.