A new chair of the board of directors has been announced by a Bradford-based social enterprise.

Business Enterprise Fund (BEF), a not-for-profit organisation and provider of responsible finance, named Tim Hamilton as its newest appointment.

It comes as BEF unveils key findings from its latest social impact report.

The report showcases how its commitment to fostering economic growth and sustainability in communities across the north is working.

It showed BEF has invested £16 million in new and existing businesses across the region and helped 396 new UK businesses come to life.

Around 1,885 of jobs have been supported by BEF-backed businesses in the past year alone. Women-led businesses making up 34 per cent of its clients while 14 per cent of its clients are ethnic minority led businesses.

Tim, a partner at Pannone Corporate, continues to enjoy a longstanding and successful career within the legal profession. 

He is an experienced leader who champions relationships and collaboration in business as keys to long term success.

BEF’s board of directors is now composed of eight members, including Alex Beardsley, Joint managing director of ABL Business; James Mason, CEO of West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce; Katie Hurrell, CEO of Bradford District Credit Union; Laurence Beardmore, former group commercial director of York Coffee Emporium; Penny Hembrow, former senior VP, of CGI; Simon Jackson, director of investments of BEF Group; Stephen Waud, CEO of BEF Group.