The newly-elected chairman of Bradford Cares has vowed to be an "ambassador" for the scheme throughout the district.

Yorkshire Building Society chief executive David Anderson made his pledge after he was elected chairman at a Bradford Cares leadership meeting.

Executives from 14 of the city's biggest organisations and companies, including Barclays Bank, Bradford Breakthrough and Bradford Community Health Trust, selected Mr Anderson yesterday at the meeting in YBS's headquarters off Rooley Lane.

Mr Anderson, 45, said he was no stranger to challenges.

As chief executive he is in charge of the society's 1,000 staff based in Bradford and has just finished a year as the chairman of the UK Building Societies' Association.

The father-of-two is a keen enthusiast of Bradford Cares - which gives businesses and their employees the chance to put something back into their community - and has already pledged to take part in one of the action days on June 7, 8 and 9.

Mr Anderson said: "I'm delighted to be chairman. We at the Yorkshire Building Society think that the Cares model has a huge amount to offer employers in this city.

"I'm incredibly enthusiastic about what we can deliver in terms of giving people the opportunity to help others in the community.

"I would hope that, over time, businesses will see that Bradford Cares is not just a benefit to the city, but that it can be of huge benefit for them in terms of making employees feel valued and making them feel they are contributing to the city.

"I see the role of chairman as being an ambassador for the Cares scheme and to make sure that this organisation is seen as totally apolitical - that it's just there to make Bradford a better place to live and work in."

Bradford Council chief executive Ian Stewart, who was also at the meeting, said the Council was ready to pledge its support for the scheme.

"It looks like we are going to commit to the scheme," he said.

"I think it's an organisation that is good for Bradford and, if it's good for Bradford, I think we should support it.

"We've got 23,400 staff and I'd like to give them the opportunity to be involved with working in the community. I'd also like to see councillors getting involved."

For more information about Bradford Cares write to Jo Crossley, Bradford Cares Co-ordinator, Business in the Community, Progress House, 99, Bradford Road, Pudsey, LS28 6AJ, or call 0113 2361888, fax 0113 2360555 or e-mail jcrossley@bitc.org.uk