ADAM Pursar, former head of business investment at Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, has joined york-england.com as marketing director.

The appointment will mean an even closer working relationship between Yorkshire Forward and the inward investment organisation, whose brief was extended two years ago beyond York to cover North Yorkshire.

In the past year, york-england.com, based in George Hudson Street, York, has attracted 25 new businesses to the sub-region, representing some 220 new jobs for local people.

Tighter links with Yorkshire Forward will also help york-england.com increase marketing and re-location services across North Yorkshire, particularly along the A1/A64 corridor.

The main focus for Mr Pursar, 56, will be on public sector relocation, food and drink, bioscience and IT and digital.

His appointment is also expected to bolster york-england.com's role in the central government's Northern Way Growth Strategy and Regional Economic Strategy.

Privately, he plans his own personal inward investment. For the moment, he has a small flat in Leeds, but his wife, Liz, and family live in Rugby.

"I'm looking for property in York or North Yorkshire to which we can all relocate," he said.

At Yorkshire Forward he was responsible for developing successful new inward investment and marketing strategies which have allowed the region to esxceed its targets and attract more than 35 investors.

They included the arrival of the Pole Star printing company, along with 400 jobs to Sheffield and the Bertelesmann Group which is providing outsourced customer services for East Riding of Yorkshire Council, safeguarding 300 jobs and adding 600 more.

He has more than 35 years experience in national and international marketing, business management and consultancy where he has worked in a wide range of industries.

A "delighted" Imelda Havers, chief executive of york.england.com, said: "His excellent track record in marketing and experience with Yorkshire Forward will significantly strengthen our regional position as a sub-regional player.''

Updated: 10:23 Friday, March 04, 2005