A business group has welcomed a new chairman.

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) announced the appointment of Jim Stewart as its new chairman at a meeting on Thursday.

Mr Stewart is chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners.

He has managed shipping companies in the UK and overseas since 1988 after commencing his career as a shipbroker on the Baltic Exchange in the City of London.

In the past six years, he has served as chairman of BPA, chairman of Maritime UK, chairman of UK Port Skills, and Safety and chairman of Access to UK Ports committee.

Mr Stewart, said: “I am committed to ensuring the success of Dorset’s vision for a sustainable, competitive and innovative economy, as well as helping to guide the LEP’s work on attracting and retaining high skilled workers and delivering accessible and affordable housing.”

Lorna Carver, Dorset LEP director, added: “We are delighted that Jim has been appointed chairman of the LEP Board. Jim is a very well-respected business leader and has a very good understanding of the key economic challenges and opportunities that we currently face in Dorset. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our previous chairman Gordon Page for his invaluable strategic leadership and guidance over the last six years and for helping us to achieve some major successes including securing £98.5 million in local growth funding for Dorset and attaining Enterprise Zone status for the new Dorset Innovation Park.

"I look forward to working closely with Jim and the rest of the Board on delivering more economic successes across the county.”