A FORMER regional development agency chief has secured a new job at Durham Cathedral.

John Holmes, previously director of regeneration and tourism at One North East, has been appointed the Cathedral’s Head of Property. He started work today.

Born in Durham, Mr Holmes went to school in Spennymoor and studied at Northumbria University before spending ten years as a chartered surveyor and 25 years working in regeneration, housing, tourism and economic development.

He has been project director at Newcastle Great Park and chief executive of Hull Forward.

Mr Holmes said: "I feel greatly privileged to be taking up this new challenge in my home city at a particularly interesting time for the Cathedral with an exciting programme of events, developments and projects planned and I look forward to settling in and working with a wide range of stakeholders and partners from throughout the North-East."

Philip Davies, the Cathedral’s Chapter Clerk, said Mr Holmes had vast experience of property management and a keen eye for business development opportunities; and he would be invaluable to the Cathedral.

Durham Cathedral owns houses, farms, agricultural land, garages and investment properties across County Durham and beyond.