A REGENERATION body has appointed an interim chief executive to push forward its major job creation plans.

The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (Nelep) has welcomed Bob Paton.

Bosses say the 58-year-old will take on the role for up to six months, while they work to make a permanent appointment later this year.

Mr Paton is widely known in the region as managing director of IT firm Accenture’s North-East delivery centre, in Newcastle, a job he will share with his Nelep duties.

He will continue delivering Nelep’s Strategic Economic Plan, which is led by a report from Lord Andrew Adonis and aims to help businesses create more jobs.

The chief executive role has been vacant for almost a year after former Treasury advisor Edward Twiddy quit the organisation for Durham City-based bank Atom.

Last month, Nelep and North East Combined Authority (NECA) took the decision to put a temporary chief executive in place after it emerged members of NECA opposed plans to offer the job to an Australian trade envoy on a £150,000-a-year salary.

Mr Paton said he was looking forward to helping the next generation in his new role.

He said: “One of the things that drives me in my career is giving young people of all capabilities the chance to have a better job.

“Nelep is leading economic growth, investing in skills and innovation, and making sure young people have the skills required by industry.”

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Mr Paton reiterated his passion to get youngsters into work, particularly in the IT sector.

He added: “The region has got some great people and we need to make sure we increase the amounts that are ready to work in IT.

“We have got to work with education, right from primary schools, through the secondary schools and on to colleges, universities and apprenticeships.

“We’ve seen the plans for an engineering university technical college in Newton Aycliffe, but we should have an IT specific one.

“We also need to get more women into IT, have a better gender balance, and make the industry more exciting.”

Paul Woolston, Nelep chairman, paid tribute to the talents of Mr Paton, who is also vice-chairman of Dynamo, an initiative aimed at expanding the North-East’s IT economy and improving skills, and on the University of Sunderland board.

He added: “Bob is very much a leader who brings people together to deliver success.

“He will lead the delivery of our activity over the next six months, laying the foundations for a permanent chief executive.”

Business leaders from across the region have queued up to praise Mr Paton’s appointment.

Ted Salmon, Federation of Small Businesses’ North-East regional chairman, said: “Bob is incredibly well respected across the private and public sector and we look forward to working with him to ensure small businesses across the LEP area are a central part of the continued growth of the North-East economy.”

James Ramsbotham, North East Chamber of Commerce chief executive, added: “We fully support this appointment.

“Mr Paton has proven experience through his time with Accenture and I believe this is a wonderful decision for our region.

“With his understanding of business, his knowledge and passion in nurturing and bringing talent to the region and his involvement in linking business with education, I’m confident this appointment will be a successful one.”