The North West Development Agency's new chair is to be New East Manchester chair and Peel Holdings non-executive deputy chairman Robert Hough.
He has been on the Agency's board for 18 months and will succeed Bryan Gray on 17 August.
Mr Hough is also a non-executive director of other companies including Provident Financial and Styles & Wood Group and is a board member of the University of Manchester.
"I have no doubt that there are challenges ahead but it is my personal commitment to make sure that the region is well placed to face them robustly, build on our many strengths and emerge from this downturn in a strong position," he says.
