l DAVE CRAWFORD has been appointed as chairman of Sunderland Housing Group.

He has been a member of the board for five years and chaired the Audit Committee, which ensures that the group's governance is in line with regulatory requirements.

Mr Crawford said: "I accepted the position of chair as I have been involved since the inception of the group and believe fervently in what we are trying to do."

He previously worked for Blyth Valley Borough Council for 31 years in the posts of deputy borough treasurer and borough treasurer, and as chief executive between 1983 and 1998.

As the principal policy advisor to the council, he was responsible for the whole administration of the council.

He qualified for the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy in 1965 and, up until his retirement in 1998, he maintained responsibility for the financial administration of the borough council at Blyth.