Yorkshire Forward chairman Terry Hodgkinson is about to embark on his second three-year term of office at the helm of the regional development agency. T&A Reporter MARK CASCI spoke to him about the changes he has seen in the business community during his tenure and his hopes for the future of commerce in the region.

In the three years that Terry Hodgkinson has completed as Yorkshire Forward chairman there has been much in way of change in Bradford.

The Skipton-born businessman has seen masterplans published for the regeneration of Bradford, Airedale and his home town.

The blueprints map out visions for the economic, social and architectural futures of all these areas as the Bradford district moves forwards.

Last week, regional industry minister Margaret Hodge stood up in the House of Commons and officially re-appointed Mr Hodgkinson as chairman, meaning he will serve for a further three years.

And Mr Hodgkinson is very clear in what he wants to see happen in Bradford during the coming years.

"I want to see Yorkshire become a global player in the world economy and Bradford has to be a part of that," he said. It is an ambitious goal and one that harks back to the era when Bradford textiles were exported all over the globe.

In his first three years as chairman of Yorkshire Forward, Mr Hodgkinson has overseen the moves and initiatives which he is confident will make these hopes become reality.

"What we are seeing is a general raising of aspiration among the communities in the area, particularly in Bradford and Airedale where regeneration plans are now well embedded and well understood," he said. "It is important that we hold our nerve and deliver what we have promised."

Personally, he said, he would love to see the city centre lake delivered: "It is right in the heart of Bradford and would be totally unique, helping to push up property prices.

"It really is a quite beautiful city and the next ten years of development, such as the canal proposals, really should give the city a new face and one that Bradford people can be proud of.

"The reception that the masterplan has got has been really satisfying.

"I attended a lot of the public displays of Will Alsop's work and the feedback from the general public was amazing - I think it has really seeped into the hearts and minds of people. I am really quite proud of that.

"Airedale is enjoying an exciting time too. The Keighley College development is very interesting and we are really keen to deliver what is spelt out in the masterplan."

When asked about the next three years and what they will hold for Bradford's business community, Mr Hodgkinson is characteristically focused and ambitious.

"We want to continue our investment in skills - this is absolutely key," he said. "We want to engage in upskilling the workforce and give them a multiplicity of skills so that they can move from industry to industry.

"Work is being done on this by Bradford University and Bradford College and we have helped to get some really exciting things off the ground.

"The Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation at the University of Bradford is a great example of that, as is the Bradford Business School - providing support to new and established businesses alike.

"We also want to see vast improvements to the transport infrastructure in terms of rail, roads and air. It is vital for business people to be able to get around the area and that it is not overlooked."

Mr Hodgkinson's reappointment by Whitehall is very much an endorsement of his and Yorkshire Forward's performance so far and is something he feels proud of.

"Naturally I was very pleased with the ministers' decision," he said. "The Government is very clear on what it expects from us and if we do not perform we do not get reappointed."

Despite his role as Yorkshire Forward's chairman, Mr Hodgkinson still remains an active businessman, continuing to sit on the board of Wakefield construction firm Lemmeleg as a non-executive director.

And for a man whose job consists of overseeing a vast geographical area, consisting of rural enclaves, inner-city areas and a plethora of small towns, Mr Hodgkinson's job is constantly changing and challenging.

However, he has a clear personal goal which is as ambitious and formidable as the position he has.

"By the time I get to the end of my time here I really want to hear people say They could not have done this better'," he said. "The way to do this is to put your foot on the accelerator now."

e-mail: mark.casci@bradford.newsquest.co.uk