The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership has formally agreed its board of directors.
After an extensive recruitment exercise, eight representatives from the private sector have been appointed, joining the other members to form the Partnership Board.
The members of the full board are:
- Nicholas Ames, Managing Director, Supacat Ltd
- Simon Barker, Director Strategy and Alliances UK Government Business, Agusta Westland
- Frances Brennan, SW Regional Director, Working Links
- Adam Chambers, Chief Executive Officer, Peninsula Enterprise
- Jamie Christon, Managing Director Exeter and Devon Airport Ltd
- Nick Engert, Consultant to Clarke Willmott LLP
- Tim Jones, Chartered Surveyor / Commercial Property Developer
- Vaughan Lindsay, Chief Executive, Dartington Hall Trust
- Councillor Ted Fry, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder Economic Development, Plymouth City Council
- Councillor William Mumford, Cabinet Member for Economy, Enterprise and Employment, Devon County Council
- Councillor David Hall, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Economic Development, Somerset County Council
- Gordon Oliver, Mayor and Leader of Torbay Council
- Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor University of Plymouth
- David Allen, Registrar and Deputy Chief Executive, University of Exeter
- Rachel Davies, Principal, Somerset College
The Local Enterprise Partnership was formed in November last year under the leadership of the private sector, supported by local authorities from Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
Chair of the Steering Committee, Jeremy Filmer-Bennett said: “ We had many applications from across the whole business community and we were heartened by the calibre and enthusiasm of the candidates who were willing to give their time and expertise.
“It is important that the private sector board members represented the diversity of business and industry across the region. I am confident that we have appointed a strong and dynamic team from the public and private sectors that will be able to take the partnership forward.
“The depth and breadth of the knowledge and skills that the team bring to the Partnership will be invaluable in pursuing and developing the vision that we set out in the initial Heart of the South West prospectus.
“The Board has been drawn from people actively involved in the economy, demonstrating a real passion for the future prosperity of the area, enabling a strong and focused approach.”
The priorities for the partnership include job creation and business expansion, developing skills and boosting wages as well as creating the right conditions for economic growth.
The Board will seek to use its influence to pressure government where necessary by acting as advocates for the area and speaking out on issues that affect enterprise and economic development.
Amongst the Board’s first tasks, will be nominating a Chair from its membership, alongside the setting up of the Forum. This will be the formal body that feeds into the Partnership’s activities and will be open to everyone with an interest in the group.
More information on the forum and its formation, as well as the Heart of the South West can be found on the website at www.heartofswlep.co.uk
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