He will take up the post on the 1st December 2008 and is appointed for an initial term of 3 years. John Weir, deputy chair of WNDC, will continue as interim chair until this time.

Markham has enjoyed a long and distinguished career within the private sector working at the very top of the chemical industry across global markets at chief executive level. He gained extensive regeneration experience as chairman of the Whitehaven Development Company, a public/private partnership set up to spearhead the regeneration of the harbour and the town of Whitehaven, West Cumbria. It was the forerunner to today's Urban Regeneration Companies and John led the establishment of the Company and oversaw the work to transform the environment of Whitehaven, successfully completed over a 10 year period, winning a host of regeneration awards. John was awarded an OBE in January 1995 for services to industry in West Cumbria.

The appointment as Chair of WDNC is for an initial term of 3 years. Markham will work two days a week and get paid £46,000 a year.