BOLTON Institute has appointed Mark Allanson to a new top job -- Director of Enterprise.

Mr Allanson, aged 39, started at the Deane Road complex today after nearly four years as Director of Business Link, Bolton and Bury.

In his new role he will champion the Institute -- still waiting to know whether it has gained university status -- in local and regional business circles.

He said today: "The Institute has a very strong record of working with industry and business. It does a lot of research, consultancy and training. The aim is to build significantly on this."

The initiative is in line with the Government's wishes that universities should work more closely with business and industry.

Mollie Temple, Principal of Bolton Institute, said: "I am delighted that Mark has joined us in this new, senior position, bringing all his experience from his previous role.

"We look forward to building on existing links with industry."

Mr Allanson, whose father Brian is a former Mayor of Bolton, was educated at Smithills Grammar School and later worked for Unilever.

After a spell "back-packing round the world" he ran his own catering business, the Egerton Delicatessen, for about three years.

He joined the former Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council in 1992 as Business Enterprise Manager and his period with BBTEC included a secondment to the City Challenge initiative in Halliwell.

Mr Allanson, who lives in Heaton, took charge of Business Link -- a division of Bolton and Bury Chamber -- in 1996.