THE company given the task of revitalising Teesside has appointed a director of development.

Richard Buckley joins Tees Valley Regeneration from The Banks Group, a national land and property development company.

He has a diploma in town planning and has been a planning officer in the public sector before moving to Newcastle law firm Ward Hadaway as a planning consultant.

While at Banks, he has worked on a number of regional schemes, including developing 120 homes in Thornaby and Bowesfield Park, Stockton, a 130-acre mixed-use development, which included a wildlife reserve.

Chief executive of Tees Valley Regeneration Joe Docherty said: "Somebody with Richard's experience and background will be a huge asset to both Tees Valley Regeneration and the Tees Valley."