Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Sport, has appointed Peter Rowley as new Chairman of the North East Regional Sports Board after Tim Cantle Jones announced that he will be stepping down after five years with Sport England North East.

Sport England North East is charged with sustaining and increasing participation in community sport by working closely with other regional agencies and in partnerships to ensure that communities are provided with the best sporting opportunities possible.  It is one of 9 regional offices responsible for the success of community sports in their regions.

Peter is chief executive of Darlington Building Society, the region’s local building society renowned for its community involvement and long-standing commitment to and support of grass roots sports at local and regional levels.  Last year the Society supported 144 worthy causes and sustains some of the most enduring sporting sponsorships in the region.

Commenting upon his appointment, Peter said: “I believe passionately in community sport’s power to transform lives and the dramatic contribution sport makes in effecting positive social change.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a dedicated, effective and well respected team in making sport excellent for everyone who wants to take part at the threshold of an incredible era for sport in this country.”

In welcoming Peter, Judith Rasmussen, Regional Director of Sport England North East said: "We are really pleased to have Peter on board at such an exciting time for sport both regionally and nationally. The next 10 years will see the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympics games followed by the Commonwealth Games two years later. As a region we will passionately follow our local cricket heroes on home soil in the Twenty20 World Cup and then the North East will be the focus of attention when we host the 5th UK School Games, with the cream of Britain’s young athletes and the Olympic stars of the future competing. Add to this the possibility that Britain may be host to both the Rugby and Football World Cups and you will see that this is a great time to be involved in sport and a great opportunity to inspire more people in the North East to take part in sport. Peter's role will be key to the delivery of sports opportunities here in the North East and we are really looking forward to his involvement and leadership"