A PETROCHEMICAL industry organisation is looking for a new leader after its boss announced his retirement.

Dr Stan Higgins will step down as chief executive of the North-East Process Industry Cluster (Nepic) in the summer.

Dr Higgins has been in post for in excess of a decade, wherein Nepic says it has helped secure investments worth more than £4bn and 5,000 jobs in the region.

Officials, who say Dr Higgins will be “a tough act to follow”, have now begun their search for his replacement.

Nepic, based at the Wilton Centre, near Redcar, was formed following the merger of the Teesside Chemical Initiative and the Pharmaceutical & Speciality Cluster.

Operating as a member-owned not-for-profit organisation, it has since grown into one of the UK’s key economic cluster bodies supporting the region’s chemical-using industries and their supply chain.

With more than 300 members, it works to build upon the North-East’s strong industrial base and make the region increasingly competitive in Europe’s chemical-processing sector.

Dr Higgins, who was previously honoured by the European Commission and awarded the EU cluster manager of the year title, said his period in post has been thoroughly enjoyable, adding his replacement will have a “great time”.

He said: “With the fantastic support of our members, we have managed to keep this business in surplus since its inception, with all profits being directed into activities to promote and grow the process industries in the North-East.

“The new chief executive will have a great time representing a great industry, which is always looking towards rejuvenation and growth.”

The Northern Echo has spoken to Dr Higgins on numerous occasions about the region’s process sector, latterly in September when he welcomed a report suggesting the North-East could have a crucial role in the future of carbon capture and storage (CCS).

That system is predicated upon securing carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants and heavy industry and storing it underground before it disappears into the atmosphere.

Reflecting on the organisation’s progress, and Dr Higgins’ commitment to delivering investment and fighting for developments such as CCS, Ian Swales, Nepic chairman, added: “Stan is widely respected throughout the process sector and has done a truly outstanding job in bringing Nepic to where it is today.

“Stan is a tough act to follow but has left an exciting opportunity for the next chief executive."