CELIA Hodson, chief executive of the Choose Suffolk development partnership, is to take up a nine-month secondment as project director at the new Eastern Enterprise Hub, based within the James Hehir Building at University Campus Suffolk.

She will be working with the enterprise hub project board to oversee the establishment of an enterprise hub for the East of England.

It will provide a central focus for enterprise learning that capitalises on the region's strengths in such areas as research and development while aiming to broaden the area's economic base, particularly in support of new sectors.

The new hub will also seek to overcome the twin challenges of youth unemployment and low skills while stimulating and supporting new business start-ups in the region.

Ms Hodson said: 'It's with a mixture of real sadness and excitement that I take up this new role. I'm sad to be leaving Choose Suffolk at an exciting time in the organisation's history, but looking forward to embracing the exciting challenges that lie ahead at the new Eastern Enterprise Hub.'

Ms Hodson will remain on the board of directors at Choose Suffolk during her secondment at the Eastern Enterprise Hub.