ONE of Hambleton’s leading business figures has stepped down from his role as chairman of the district’s Business Forum.

The annual conference of Hambleton Strategic Business Forum saw Lindsay Ross head up the group for the last time after seven years in the role.

“I have always enjoyed working with local community organisations and think that business people in general have a lot to bring to the assistance of the community in terms of their day-to-day skills, contacts and knowledge,” he said.

“Businesses are after all an integral part of any community and hence it is simple logic to be involved. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as chair of HSBF and working alongside my colleagues at Hambleton District Council.”

Mr Ross has spent more than 40 years in civil engineering, construction and property development, working from being a graduate engineer to a managing director of a one-stop industrial and commercial property development company.

He has been responsible for several major employment sites, and has assisted in creating and sustaining numerous businesses and jobs within the region.

He was the founding chair of Thirsk Regeneration Initiative, which he chaired for seven years, was a member of the North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership steering committee, a member of the Hambleton Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) and chair of the business forum since its inception in 2009.