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One of the best known names in the North East business community has returned to his roots as head of a new development company.

Joe Docherty, who stepped down as chief executive of Newcastle College parent company NCG last year, has returned to the property sector as managing director of Bede Homes.

Though Mr Docherty’s most recent role was in the education sector, he has more than 20 years’ experience in property as chief executive of Tees Valley Regeneration and deputy chief executive of Home Group.

Bede Homes was established in 2016 by business partners Andrew Burnett and Richard Buckley, who set up the Sedgefield land and planning agency Buckley Burnett in 2011, and Gavin Cordwell-Smith, chief executive of Washington construction firm Hellens Group.

The company has redeveloped the site of the former Marley Hill Community Primary School in Gateshead, with the success of the 20-home project encouraging them to bring in Mr Docherty as a partner in the company.

He said: “This seemed like the perfect opportunity at exactly the right time for me and it allows me to remain in the North East, my adopted home.

“Richard and I worked together at the award-winning Tees Valley Regeneration and for some years he has been talking about us possibly investing together.

“Andrew and Richard spotted the opportunity at Marley Hill, which has been a huge success despite it being the hardest year to sell homes since 2009.”