Chairman of Finance Yorkshire named

Finance Yorkshire is a 90m regional venture and capital loan fund

which is due to be launched by regional development agency Yorkshire Forward in March.

It will invest in fast-growing businesses across Yorkshire and the Humber. It is set to complete its investment phase by December 2013.

The fund will build on the work of the Partnership Investment Fund (PIF) and South Yorkshire Investment Fund (SYIF), which have now completed their investment phases.

Mr Newman has a portfolio of non-executive directorships, including posts with international consultancy Scott Wilson Group and Dignity, the UK's largest independent provider of funeral services.

He is also chairman of Leeds-based recycling products company Straight and internet search provider Infoserve, which is also based in Leeds.

In October, he became the 385th Master Cutler of the Cutlers' Company in Hallamshire, which represents manufacturing industry in South Yorkshire.

Mr Newman said: "We see the fund helping to establish many new businesses and create and safeguard thousands of jobs for the region."

The other members of the board are: Dr Ian Kelly, chief executive of the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, Peter Myers, chief executive of West Yorkshire Tourism, Alex McWhirter, assistant director of business at Yorkshire Forward, David Bagley, a corporate financier from Leeds, and Jennie Adams, a former stockbroker from Scarbor- ough.

Tony Parsons joins Finance Yorkshire from SYIF, while John Watson, also becomes part of the board, as well as being chairman of PIF.

For more information about Finance Yorkshire, visit www.finance-yorkshire.com or ring 0845 649 0000.