MAKE It York - which promotes the city around the world - has appointed Sean Bullick as its new managing director.

Mr Bullick is former head of Newcastle NE1 Ltd, and developed and ran the Newcastle Business Improvement District in the last 12 years, where he was responsible for a series of high profile initiatives within the city.

His work included ‘Alive After Five’ – a campaign that transformed the city centre into a vibrant, thriving place with an evening economy valued at about £800m since 2010, and the £25m redevelopment of Newcastle Central Station and the historic Bigg Market.

Mr Bullick was also instrumental in a scheme recently praised by the Governor of the Bank of England, Space2 - a partnership project which put businesses in direct contact with young people to find them work experience, apprenticeships and jobs in relevant industries.

Mr Bullick said: "I have been really struck by the ambition and the enthusiasm of all those I have met so far in York and I can’t wait to get cracking in the New Year. Before that, I look forward to meeting the Make It York team and to working with them and their partners, businesses and residents to make York an ever better place to live, to invest, to study, to work, and to visit."

Ian Gillies, leader of City of York Council, said: "This is an exciting time for the city. We are in the midst of unprecedented regeneration providing huge commercial and economic opportunity for York.

"Our tourism, arts and cultural offer is going from strength to strength and York’s reputation continues to build nationally and internationally. In addition, Sean’s work with young people as part of the Space2 project will be invaluable in informing our work to engage with young people as we future-proof our city for future generations. I am looking forward to working closely with Sean to build on work underway and continue to get the very best for our city."

Chair of Make It York, Jane Lady Gibson, said: "York is in a strong position continue to increase inward investment, develop the science and innovation sectors and increase the value of tourism.

"New initiatives such as developing the St Nicholas Fair into a six week Christmas Festival, attracting new events such Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre and delivering York Business Week, as well as a robust year round tourism and inward investment strategy, are all paying dividends. This is a pivotal time for Sean to take the lead in promoting York across the globe and thanks to the work of Steve Brown and a very strong team, the Make It York partnership will continue to support York’s thriving economic and community life."

Mr Bullick is expected to join the organisation in January, after current MD Steve Brown leaves four years after the organisation was founded.