The Greater Birmingham and Black Country Business Board of children's charity NSPCC has pledged to ramp up fundraising activity after appointing a new chairman and launching its first 'Laughter Ball'.

Simon Hake has taken the reins as chairman and is working with some of the city's business figures to spearhead a fundraising push for the charity.

Mr Hake is an engineering geologist and board director at consultancy practice Wardell Armstrong and his appointment follows a host of events he organised for the NSPCC including its annual golf day.

He is also a board member of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Industrial Advisory Board of the University of Wolverhampton and a past director of the Black Country Consortium as well as a qualified FA coach.

The black tie charity ball will be held at the ICC in November at which the NSPCC is hoping to raise a six-figure sum for the charity to support its work with vulnerable children and families from its in Newhall Street.

The Laughter Ball will have celebrity speakers, auction prizes and a glamorous 1950s style female vocal group.

Mr Hake said: "The NSPCC does a fantastic job supporting children across the West Midlands and it is vital that the city's business community gets behind such an important cause so it can continue its great work.

"I'm excited to announce the launch of Birmingham's first ever NSPCC Charity Laughter Ball which I'm confident will be a very enjoyable evening whilst also raising much needed funds."