A NEW face is to take over the reins of a one of the region’s leading charities.

Professor Anthony Robards, director and former chairman of York Science Park, has become the new chairman of Yorkshire Cancer Research.

His stated aim is to attempt to double the charity’s income to more than £10m a year.

And working alongside him as the charity’s newly-appointed chief executive will be the former sales director of Bradford and Bingley, Mark Stevens.

Professor Robards was awarded an OBE in 2002 for his work in helping to set up the innovative York Science City initiative in 1998 which has helped turn the city's economic fortunes around.

He said yesterday: "Rarely does there come a time in life when you can use your scientific research background in conjunction with the commercial side of business to help move a great charity like Yorkshire Cancer Research forward in a new direction.

"Mark Stevens and I are both passionate about what we do and we are both extremely excited about working together to help bring in more funds for the charity and help raise its public profile to support cancer patients in the region."

Retiring Chairman Dr Brenda Jackson said it was an exciting time for the charity which she helped lead for 14 years with former chief executive Elaine King.

"The direction of the charity is changing tack and it is looking to becoming far more involved with the patient which I think is great and a very positive step forward," she said.