Member Article

Pioneering community project announces board of directors

The North East Community Services project, which is being piloted in the North East of England, has announced the appointment of its board. Tasked with reducing the digital divide, North East Community Services will connect disadvantaged communities to a range of information, goods and services via a network of touch screen kiosks.

Three non-executive directors have been appointed to the board. Arun Patel who is the managing director of Colorama Pharmaceuticals Ltd; Vincent Robinson OBE, and Professor Reg Hall have accepted positions as non-executive directors. Chris Fleetwood, managing director of North East-based company io solutions, has accepted the position as chairman of the board.

North East Community Services project is headed by chief executive Michael Wood. He said: “I am delighted that the North East Community Services project has a board with such a wealth of expertise, experience and knowledge. “We have an excellent and dynamic team to drive forward the project’s objectives ensuring that disadvantaged communities enjoy regeneration and access support and information through a network of over 15,000 touch screen kiosks.”

The kiosks will be located in sub-Post Offices, libraries, retailers, leisure centres and hospitals and will allow users to search for jobs, shop the high street and access local, education, transport and health information and services. Groups targeted include those without internet access, credit and debit cards or bank accounts, and those living in remote rural areas and deprived inner cities. The scheme is being piloted in the North East and will be rolled out nationally during 2007.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .