Chief executive leaves after six years at PIF

Mr Harris is a former international banker who had been at PIF's helm for six years.

PIF was set up to provide loans and equity funding to small and medium-sized businesses in Yorkshire and the Humber that were unable to raise money from traditional sources.

It was funded by Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency. Lending has now come to an end. John Watson, PIF chairman, said: "Jon Harris is leaving the role of chief executive to pursue a portfolio career including a number of current business interests and hopes to add several new non-executive director appointments to his portfolio over the next year.

"I would like on behalf of the company to wish Jon well and to thank him for all his hard work and dedication on behalf of Partnership Investment Finance over the past six years."

Dr Harris, who helped to set up the 42m fund in 2004, said: "During the past six years PIF has supported and invested in hundreds of companies across the region with the last investments and loans being issued late last year.

"The fund will continue to support its portfolio of companies but I believe my work is done at PIF and I am looking forward to pursuing other business interests."