OWNER and chairman of Plymouth Argyle, James Brent, will be taking up a major new public role this year.

The Home Park saviour will be fulfilling the post of chairman at the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.

His position will commence on May 1 this year after Angela Ballatti stands down at the end of April 2012 having served on the Trust Board for six years.

Mr Brent was an investment banker for 25 years and established Akkeron Group LLP which has key business activities in hotels, urban generation and large scale agriculture. Asides from owning Argyle, Mr Brent has a controlling stake in the Devon-based surfwear brand, Saltrock.

He has also undertaken roles in the public sector including as Chairman of Plymouth City Development Company.