A NEW strategy for developing tourism and business in York is moving forward as key appointments are set to be made for a new local authority owned company.

City of York Council is in the process of creating a new company to promote the city, bringing the work of agencies such as Visit York, Science City York, and the council's economic development unit, all under one roof.

While a chairman was appointed earlier this year, in the form of Visit York chairman Jane Lady Gibson, a recruitment process is currently underway to select an executive director, with an anticipated salary of £50,000.

Jane Lady Gibson is also leading a process to establish a new board of directors, with up to 13 directors set to be drawn from the relevant sectors and two nominees from the council.

The new company, which will cost £90,000 to set up, and is expected to see service delivery savings of £10,000 per year for the council, will employ a team of 45, based at Visit York's current headquarters in Museum Street.

The creation of the new company is likely to affect a number of jobs from the amalgamating agencies. The council has confirmed it is in consultations with staff, though has not indicated how many roles are affected.

A draft business plan for the company, which was put together under the lead of Lady Jane Gibson, is due to go before the council's cabinet next week.

It outlines the objectives of the new company stating: "The company's mission is to improve York's competitiveness and effectiveness for the benefit of citizens, communities and businesses.

"Its key objectives are to capture more value for the City of York by providing a market-facing organisation promoting York, in a

joined up way, to residents, visitors, businesses and students, and to promote and sustain collaborative working, avoiding duplication of effort, across York’s stakeholders, aligned around a shared interest in the success of York."

The executive chairperson is due to be appointed by the end of the year, and will then work with the board to hone the draft business plan, working towards final approval in spring next year.

Work is also underway, to establish the legal framework for the company, which will be wholly owned by the council, with the council appointing an appropriate shareholder body, due to be in place from November.

Jane, Lady Gibson, said: "York works best when it works together, and this public-private partnership will draw on expertise and build new relationships across York and the wider area to shape and drive its marketing, culture and economic development.”

The council hopes the new company will develop both a national and international profile for York's cultural events, as well as increasing business investment in the city, tourism spend and the length of stay per visitor.

Councillor Sonja Crisp, cabinet member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: "Our aim is to build on the city’s assets as a knowledge economy and a quality destination.

"We want to attract higher-yielding visitors and business investment in an even more joined-up way which will further build on the city getting value for public money."