BUSINESSMAN Steve Bennett has been appointed leader of North West business group Private Sector Partners (PSP).

PSP speaks for 25 business groups, representing 140,000 businesses in the North West that employ 1.3m people.

Mr Bennett, 52, already sits on PSP as the representative of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and replaces entrepreneur Len Collinson, who stepped down in April.

Mr Bennett has held numerous senior roles in private businesses in the region over the last 30 years.

He is founder and managing director of TransitionPlus and a business partner at Macclesfield-based executive search firm Wickland Westcott.

He is a former North West regional vice- chairman of the Institute of Directors.

Mr Bennett said he will continue to fight to ensure the concerns of business across the region are heard, and to continue the strong presence of PSP.

“I feel delighted and privileged to take on this role,” he said.

“Len Collinson did a fantastic job founding then running PSP with tireless energy. His contribution to business in the region has been immense. I fully intend to follow Len in his passionate campaigning.”