A senior businessman has been appointed to head an employers' task force advising the Government on its flagship New Deal jobs scheme.

Sandy Leitch, 52, chief executive of Zurich Financial Services, takes over from Sir Peter Davis, chief executive of Sainsbury's, who has been in the job for three years.

Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett said: "As we approach our manifesto target of 250,000 young people into work, I look forward to working with Sandy Leitch on the development of the New Deal."

Mr Leitch said: "I believe passionately that everyone deserves the opportunity to realise their full potential."