AN EXPERIENCED rural business entrepreneur has been appointed the founding chairman of the new Marches LEP.
Dr Geoffrey Davies OBE, 63, is managing director of Ludlow-based agricultural vehicle company McConnel and vice-president of vegetation maintenance machinery company Alamo.
The LEP board interviewed four shortlisted candidates for the role and said Mr Davies’ track record in turning around failing companies and steering young enterprises was a key factor in his appointment.
Marches LEP comprises private sector businesses and the unitary authorities of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire.
Mr Davies, who was awarded the OBE for services to agriculture and rural areas in 2004, said: “This partnership between businesses and local authorities is a great opportunity to put the Marches on the map, creating economic growth and supporting businesses.
“While, thanks to the diversity of our economy, the Marches has fared relatively well during the recent recession in comparison to many other areas of the country, we have a high degree of dependence on the public sector to provide employment in the area.
“I am passionate about creating employment, and have a record of investment in training my staff. We will work hard to create conditions for a strong, diverse and enterprising business base resulting in an increase in sustainable private sector jobs.”
Also on the board of the Marches LEP is Ian Dosser, chief financial officer of Capgemini representing the Telford Business Board, and Angela Smith, chairwoman of the Herefordshire Business Board from the Federation of Small Business.
A new representative from the Shropshire Business Board will be appointed to replace Dr Davies.
The Local Enterprise Partnership for the Birmingham region has agreed its new name will be the ‘Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP’. The group’s patch also covers Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth. Interim chairman Bridget Blow said: “The legal name of the LEP will include all of its geographical locations but it will now be known as the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP.”
