GREATER Manchester's inward investment agency MIDAS has bolstered its board by appointing two more influential business figures.

The north west's regional director at BT, Mike Blackburn, and the regional property executive for Tesco, John Clarke, will now join eleven leading figures from Manchester's public and private sectors.

MIDAS - acting on behalf of the Greater Manchester's 10 local authorities - aims to attract inward investment into the city region by promoting the area as a leading European business location.

The new non-executive appointments will add further strength to the board which is chaired by Michael Oglesby of property giant Bruntwood and already includes M.E.N. editor Paul Horrocks, Keith Alderson of the Co-op Bank, Malcolm Edge of KPMG and Sue Woodward of ITV Granada.

The announcement comes as MIDAS achieved record job creation figures for the last financial year and exceeded its investment targets for the third year running.

Both of the new board members are experts in their field and will be able to offer advice and share knowledge of industry and business development in the city region.

Mr Blackburn has 15 years' experience at BT and understands both the local government marketplace and the education arena.

Mr Clarke - a qualified chartered surveyor - has extensive knowledge of the property industry and heads up Tesco's north west property office in the city centre.

Michael Oglesby, chairman of MIDAS said: "It's important that MIDAS, as the inward investment agency for the city region, benefits from the experience and knowledge of Manchester's top private sector business people.

"Mike and John are both experts in their fields with much experience and advice to offer as MIDAS works to continue its success in attracting substantial investment to the city region."

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