A PIONEERING new youth service set to be launched in Warrington this year has a new leading light.

Steve Hoy has been appointed chief executive of the Connexions service for Cheshire and Warrington.

Connexions will integrate existing careers advice and support services for young people into a coherent and improved framework. It will create a single point of access for young people compared to the currently fragmented service provision.

The intention is to appoint a new breed of professionals to work with young people Personal Advisers.

The Cheshire and Warrington partnership is one of only 16 in the UK selected to launch the new service in April, 2001.

Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the borough council and chairman of the Connexions Shadow Board, said: "I would like to congratulate Steve Hoy on his appointment on behalf of the Connexions Partnership.

"We are confident that he will drive this new initiative forward and that the Cheshire and Warrington Connexions service will be a great success."

Steve Hoy was chief executive of Cheshire Guidance Partnership, the Cheshire-based careers company, before his appointment.

He said: "I am delighted to be appointed chief executive of this new and exciting service. Our vision for Connexions in Cheshire and Warrington is ambitious and challenging.

"However, we have a strong partnership and we all share a commitment to provide an accessible and seamless service for every young person in the area."