Sir Graham Hall retires this month after five years at the helm of Yorkshire Forward. During that time the Regional Development Agency (RDA), recently quoted by Higher Education Minister Alan Johnson as "the best performing RDA in the country", has met all its targets set by the Government. In the past year that included the creation or safeguarding of more than 10,800 jobs and the establishment of more than 800 businesses regionwide. Here he signs off his column.

THIS is the last article I will be submitting to the Evening Press as chairman - although I cannot say it will be the last you will ever hear from me.

Nonetheless, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on just a few of Yorkshire Forward's achievements that have made a difference, starting with our work with the tourist industry.

There is no doubt that the foot and mouth outbreak of 2001, compounded by the events of September 11, had a devastating effect on the region, but we demonstrated our ability to respond quickly by ensuring that hard-hit businesses had the money in their bank accounts within days of receiving their aid applications.

We also put in place a longer-term rural recovery plan that champions enterprise and entrepreneurship in young people. And Britain's Biggest Break, which proved to be the biggest concentrated tourism campaign of any English region, generated an extra £18 million for the regional economy, as well as safeguarding 800 jobs.

Yorkshire Forward played a role in helping to put York's case across in the race to secure the prestigious Royal Ascot race meet in 2005, including galvanising business support for the project from companies in the region. Along with our partners at the Yorkshire Tourist Board, we provided useful statistics on things like the number of beds available in a one-hour drive time from York Racecourse broken down by star rating, as well as helping to co-ordinate fact-finding tours by members of the Ascot Authority to the region and rallying the support and influence of our regional MPs, MEPs and peers.

Another landmark success has been Yorkshire Forward's Selby Taskforce, set up with partners to tackle the closure of the country's largest deep mine complex, which has ensured that five out of six miners leaving the coalfield have found new jobs or started their own businesses.

The Selby area was also designated as a potential location for a scientific project worth a potential £1 billion to our regional economy - the European Spallation Source.

Yorkshire Forward has been working with the White Rose Consortium to host what would be the world's largest neutron scattering research facility at a 220-hectare site at the former Burn airfield.

If the project is successful, it will mean 2,000 to 3,000 jobs in the construction phase and almost 1,500 scientists, technicians and support staff throughout its operation. A decision is not expected to be made until 2006.

We are also supporting the White Rose Consortium's pioneering initiative to invigorate the teaching of science across the United Kingdom with the establishment of the National Science Training Centre, based on the University of York campus.

Yorkshire Forward has a vast remit, with responsibility for areas ranging from innovation, enterprise, rural renaissance, urban renaissance and property development to sustainable development and learning and skills, so, of course, I cannot list all the projects we have supported or initiated.

What I can say, is that everything we have done so far, and everything that will be done in the future, with the valuable help of leaders in both the public and private sectors in the city, is to help make ours a world-class region.

We are making a difference - whether it is investing in new businesses, regenerating our towns and cities, or supporting our most needy communities.

I am handing over the reins to the new chairman, Terry Hodgkinson, who, as managing director of Magna Holdings and a director of Lemmeleg Building and Contracting Ltd, boasts a very strong business background, which I am sure will set him in good stead for the challenges ahead.

I am proud to say I can leave in his hands a dynamic, business-like organisation that will continue to grow by furthering effective relationships with stakeholders to lead and inspire the economy of our region.

Updated: 14:39 Tuesday, December 16, 2003