ENTREPRENEUR Jonathan Ruffer has been recognised as founder of The Auckland Project, board member Nick Turner takes over as chair of trustees.

Mr Ruffer established The Auckland Project, then known as Auckland Castle Trust, in 2012, after buying Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland and its Zurbarán paintings of Jacob and His Twelve Sons.

His ambition is to transform the former private palace of the Prince Bishops of Durham into a world-class visitor destination, along with other attractions, to help revitalise the area.

He will now concentrate on strategic initiatives and bringing new opportunities to the charity.

David Maddan, CEO of The Auckland Project, said: “Now that the foundations of The Auckland Project have been firmly established, in his new role Jonathan will be able to concentrate on the increasingly important outward facing aspects of our work to revive Bishop Auckland.”

Mr Ruffer said: “Thanks to the hard work of the entire Auckland Project Team we have made great strides since 2012 and are now heading, full steam towards the opening of Auckland Castle in 2019, closely followed by our other venues.

"I am now looking forward to the next six years and the bright future stretching far beyond that for The Auckland Project and Bishop Auckland as a whole.”