THE CHAIRMAN of Newport and Gwent Enterprise and ngb2b is stepping down after 12 years' distinguished service.

Ben Hoppe is 71 and is aiming to reduce his workload.

He is chairman of engineering group Rowecord, a past president of the British Constructional Steelwork Association, and was chairman of Newport's successful bid for city status.

He was awarded the OBE in the 2004 New Year's honours list. NGE and ngb2b chief executive David Russ announced Mr Hoppe's departure at the organisation's annual meeting.

He said: "Ben has been trying to bow out for about five years but until now we have managed to talk him out of it.

"He has really done a wonderful job for us and we will all miss him and his depth of experience at the highest levels of industry."

He is to be replaced by board member Andrew Wilkinson, a divisional credit controller for HSBC Bank.

Mr Hoppe said: "It's very sad to be going and I will miss the role, but at 71 it's time to make way for someone else.

"NGE has had an excellent year and things are looking good.

"I know I have left the organisation in really good hands with David Russ and now with Andrew alongside: he is a super bloke.

"We have a first class board of directors who will give both of them tremendous support."

Andrew Wilkinson has been on the NGE board for over 10 years. He lives in Coed-y-paen, Monmouthshire.

He said: "This is a great honour and a tremendous challenge. Ben is a hard act to follow, he has been such a wonderful driving force for NGE and has helped steer it through some challenging times to become the success story it is today.

"I've learned a lot as a board member from serving alongside Ben and I am looking forward to continuing his good work."

Mr Wilkinson has worked in banking in South Wales for over 15 years. He began with the Midland Bank and then, after its take-over, with HSBC. He has been active in the Gwent community in a number of key roles.

He is deputy board chairman at the University of Wales, Newport, and a board member of urban regeneration company Newport Unlimited. He certainly appears to be the continuity candidate, having said: "My emphasis will be totally in line with that of David Russ and his team at NGE."

Mr Wilkinson also demonstrated that bankers can have a romantic side. He said: "In its people, South East Wales has a depth of resources which has yet to be fully developed.

"Like an oyster fisherman we have to find those pearls and polish them into the business gems of the future."

Newport and Gwent Enterprise was formed in 1982.

The merger with the local chamber of commerce, ngb2b, took place last year.

The original team of two people has expanded to a core staff of 50-plus, supplemented by a team of consultants.