MARTIN HAVENHAND is to retire as chief executive of Yorkshire Forward at the end of his contract next April.

The longest-serving chief executive of any regional development agency in the country, Mr Havenand took up the role when Yorkshire Forward was established in 1999.

Before then he spent six years as chief executive of Bassetlaw District Council in North Nottinghamshire.

During his time at Yorkshire Forward he oversaw the development of the Regional Economic Strategy, the region's first blueprint for economic growth over the next decade.

He also presided over Yorkshire Forward's introduction of investment planning, to align all public sector funding behind a programme of investment in the region, which will direct more than £1.5 billion of spend over a five year period to 2010. The post will be advertised in the coming weeks with interviews expected to take place in November.

Mr Havenhand, 55, said: "As a proud Yorkshireman, I have been honoured to lead Yorkshire Forward over the last six years as we have moved from a pure start up position, building a regional strategy that people could believe in, to delivering real results on the ground.

"Bringing investment into the region, creating business and job opportunities and being bold enough to support initiatives like the renaissance programmes which are transforming our cities and towns, creating a better quality of life for our people and communities.

"Since 1999 I have worked hard to create an agency that adds value to all areas of our lives and I believe that, with the support of colleagues and partners, we have succeeded. It was always my intention to step down next year, at the end of my contract, and believe that the time is right time for a new chief executive to take the agency forward."

Updated: 11:25 Friday, August 05, 2005