A LOCAL enterprise partnership has unveiled a new business team as it strives to increase regional investment.

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NElep) has revealed an Innovation Board for the North-East.

Bosses say it will support NElep to increase economic growth.

It will be overseen by chairman Professor Roy Sandbach, with the private sector representation from Dr Alan Lowdon, Neil Hemming and Dr Peter Simpson.

They have been joined by Professor Peter Fidler, a NElep board member from the University of Sunderland; Professor Nick Wright, of Newcastle University; Dr Tim Hammond, of Durham University and Professor George Marston, from Northumbria University.

Gillian Hall, a former senior partner at Watson Burton, and Arnab Basu, chief executive of Sedgefield-based scanner company Kromek, who are both NElep board members, have also joined the board.

North Tyneside Mayor Norma Redfearn and Councillor Iain Malcolm, leader of South Tyneside Council, represent the North East Combined Authority, with Government agencies represented by Innovate UK and Research Councils UK.

Prof Sandbach said: “We have created a hugely talented, nationally and internationally experienced board to drive innovation.

“It was important we put the right people in place to help deliver the strategic leadership of this important focus on innovation for the region.

“I’m absolutely convinced we will be able to do this and I’m looking forward to working with the board to achieve real innovation momentum.”

Board members have been appointed for an initial two years.

Paul Woolston, North East Lep chairman, said: “The board is a fundamental part of driving forward a new era in North-East innovation and ultimately delivering more and better jobs.”

He added it is also close to appointing an executive innovation director to directly manage the programme.