WELCOME to Yorkshire has appointed the former CEO and Executive Chairman at Sky Betting and Gaming as its latest Non-Executive Director.

Richard Flint will take up the post at the tourism organisation immediately, following the end of his two-year stint as the Chair of the CBI in Yorkshire and Humber.

He said: “It’s been a pleasure and privilege to grow a business and to bring up our family in Yorkshire, and I am looking forward to spreading the word about all that our wonderful region has to offer as a place to visit. I am also excited to join such a diverse and multi-talented Board.”

Essex born Richard, who adopted Yorkshire as his home county in 2005, is a keen cyclist and names Fountains Abbey as his favourite place.

A spokesperson for Welcome to Yorkshire said the former CEO of the Year brings a huge range of business, people and financial skills to the role. Graduating from Oxford in engineering, Eeconomics and management he went on to study public policy at Harvard University in the USA and then worked at the Financial Times, McKinsey and Sky before taking the helm at Sky Bet.

He oversaw the transformation of Sky Bet from the Harrogate-based division of Sky with fewer than 100 employees to an independent company based in Leeds with over 1,500 people and a turnover of £700m.

Under his tenure the company also received significant recognition as a great place to work, featuring in the Sunday Times UK top 100 best places to work and being placed sixth best place to work in the UK by Glassdoor.

Richard is the current Chairman of online dog food brand ButternutBox and undertakes various other investing and advisory roles.

Welcome to Yorkshire Chairman Peter Box said: “Richard’s reputation precedes him, and you only have to look at his career achievements so far to know he’ll be a brilliant addition to the team. He brings a huge skill set, a great vision and a progressive and dynamic approach. We’re delighted to welcome him on board.”

Welcome to Yorkshire’s chief executive James Mason said: “I believe this to be a fantastic appointment. Having known Richard for a number of years I know exactly the personality and expertise he will bring to the organisation.

"Under Peter Box’s leadership, we are building a team of people that will help us create and deliver our exciting new strategy.”