A REGENERATION body has appointed a new chairman as it bids to increase regional investment and job creation.

Former ICI apprentice Paul Booth is taking over from Sandy Anderson at the Tees Valley Unlimited Local Enterprise Partnership (TVU).

Teesside-born Mr Booth, a TVU board member, is also chairman at petrochemicals company Sabic UK, which employs hundreds of people on Teesside, and holds the same role at the North East Process Industry Cluster.

He says he is excited at the prospect of helping the Tees Valley secure more powers under the Government’s Northern Powerhouse drive, while delivering more employment and skills to the area.

He said: “In my expanded role, I’m looking forward to helping accelerate the area’s economic performance.

“This will be through the attraction of business investment and transport infrastructure improvements.”

A fervent supporter of training and development, reflected in previous board memberships at Redcar and Cleveland College and the TTE Technical Training Group, based near Middlesbrough, Mr Booth said helping the next generation would be key to his remit.

He added: “We must make sure existing and future generations of workers have the skills required to meet the evolving needs of industry.”

Mr Booth, who is also Sabic’s European director for government policy and public affairs, has received praise from Councillor Sue Jeffrey, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and vice-chairman of the local enterprise partnership.

She said: “As a board member of TVU, Paul already has been instrumental in driving forward its ambitions and plans to help Tees Valley’s industrial base diversify and prosper.

“His background will facilitate TVU’s engagement with potential investors, key stakeholders and those at the heart of Government to ensure as many opportunities as possible are created for Tees Valley, its businesses and residents.

“His extensive business expertise and knowledge means that TVU can continue to build on the firm foundations created under Sandy Anderson’s stewardship.”

Mr Booth will officially take on his role from Monday, August 3, when Mr Anderson, who was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the Tees Valley, will step down.

Ms Jeffrey added: “The TVU leadership board would like to thank Sandy, who has been an ardent and effective advocate for Tees Valley.

“His expertise and ability have led to a new-look economic landscape in Tees Valley and have helped strengthen the area’s industrial potency and its reputation for innovation.

“He leaves Tees Valley Unlimited in excellent shape to embrace the additional powers that are due to be devolved from Whitehall.”

Mr Anderson, who has been in the role since 2010, previously held senior research, engineering and production positions at ICI and was chairman of Teesside University for ten years until 2014.

He is Deputy Lieutenant of County Durham and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Chemical Engineers.