IAN NICHOLSON has been appointed by registered charity Norcare to lead its social enterprise operation.

The 63-year-old, from Newcastle, is developing a social enterprise business for Norcare.

Norcare provides supported housing bed spaces and floating support services to more than 275 service users in Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside and Northumberland, South Tyneside, Wearside, County Durham and Darlington.

It runs a volunteer bureau for service users and the social enterprise will offer training and employment opportunities.

Mr Nicholson spent 34 years in banking before moving to Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service for eight years.

He said: "I have seen so many social enterprises fail and, ultimately, it is because they have not delivered their services.

This is an opportunity to prove to myself and Norcare that it can work."

Norcare helps young homeless people, ex-offenders or those at risk of offending, people who misuse drugs or alcohol, people who experience mental illness and women and families fleeing violence.