ANDREW Leeming will be the man behind major regeneration funding programmes across York and North Yorkshire.

He has been appointed the new head of programme development for the York and North Yorkshire Partnership unit based in Clifton Moor, York.

It is a huge task for 38-year-old Andrew, who for the past five years has headed up the economic development and tourism section of Ryedale District Council from which he is now seconded.

The Partnership Unit is sponsored by 20 partners including local authorities, government agencies, further education colleges, national parks, the police and the voluntary sector.

It co-ordinates work to ensure the York and North Yorkshire sub-region effectively manages regeneration resources for Europe, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and other funders.

Andrew has already spent the past 15 years working across North Yorkshire helping the development of a variety of economic and community development initiatives.

He said: "I have a great deal of experience in the use of regeneration and economic development funding in rural areas, and I'm determined that this area benefits from the funds available in the future."

Updated: 11:09 Thursday, August 11, 2005