Leap - Confronting conflict, the UK's leading charity in the field of conflict resolution for young adults has announced that Patrick Dunne Group Communications Director for 3i Group plc has recently been appointed as the Chairman.

Leap is a national organisation which takes a constructive approach to an issue at the top of the social agenda. Leap''s pioneering research into young people and conflict has enabled it to develop a series of programmes equipping young people, schools and others with the tools and skills to deal with a wide range of conflict situations.

The charity is growing rapidly and has already trained over 2,000 young people in the first six months of this year. It was recently awarded over £1m from the Big Lottery Fund to expand its Peerlink project nationally. Peerlink is a network of young volunteers, peer mediation schemes and events operating across the UK.  Leap''s latest publication "Working with Gangs and Young People" which was published in June has also attracted considerable attention.

Patrick Dunne has been a trustee of Leap since 2002. "I am delighted to become Chairman at such a key stage in Leap''s development. The cause has huge resonance for me, personally and the quality of the work is fantastic. Leap really does transform young people''s lives as well as the many people who live and work with them or are affected by their behaviour. As a venture capitalist I can also see that the return for every pound spent is terrific."

Jenny Rogers, Chief Executive Leap said: "We are delighted to have Patrick as Chairman. He has been involved in Leap for a number of years and is absolutely passionate about the cause and has given us great support. We are growing rapidly and his experience in helping organisations to develop and his formidable network will be of great assistance."