CULTURE change programme Aspire has appointed Maggie Pavlou as chairwoman as it continues its campaign to counteract the impending skills shortage in the region.

Ms Pavlou is already familiar with the work of Aspire through her role as president of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), which, along with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) North-East, co-owns the campaign.

She takes over the rotational post from former CBI chairman Jamie Martin and will retain the position for 12 months before it returns to the CBI.

Aspire is entering the third year of a five-year programme, which aims to make every employer in the region aware that the solution to the impending skills shortage lies in investing in our young people.

Ms Pavlou said: "Aspire has a powerful role to play in raising awareness of the opportunities available to young people and to show North-East firms that there is plenty of talent out there.

"I look forward to continuing to offer my full support to the Aspire team over the coming months and years."

She is also a member of the North-East Tourism Advisory Board and has recently been appointed onto the Regional Council for the Prince's Trust.