New LEP chief calls for spirit of collaboration

THE man charged with leading one of the country’s biggest Local Enterprise Partnerships has called for the “spirit of collaboration” if the body is to function properly.

Yesterday’s announcement that John Lewis managing director Andy Street would be the inaugural chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP brought to an end weeks of rumours about his appointment.

Speaking at an official launch event, Mr Street spoke of the need for unison if businesses and politicians across the nine separate local authority areas which comprise the LEP were to succeed.

The Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP comprises Cannock, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest alongside Birmingham and Solihull.

He said the boundaries which separated the areas were artificial because there was so much movement between them for work and leisure and predicted no conflict of interest.

“We want to make sure we continue to the spirit of collaboration between the different councils, business and the public sector. That’s the key,” he told TheBusinessDesk.com.

“Ultimately, we will be judged on whether the region generates any jobs. That is our long-term goal.

“If you look at the story of the West Midlands in the last 20 years, it is a great one of adapting to the new economic situation with the decline of heavy manufacturing.

“But if you look at it against other regions of the country, we have not attracted as many industries such as the digital and media companies. That is a sector which I really hope we could be more successful in.

[VIDEO: 322] Mr Street was born and bred in Birmingham and has been managing director of John Lewis since 2007.

There is no official time frame for his appointment but he said it would be sensible to review his position after a year.

He believes being based in London rather than the West Midlands should not be seen as a negative as he will be able to use his position to take the LEP to a wider audience in the capital.

“I hope my leadership ability from my time with John Lewis would be something I can bring to the LEP,” he added.

“I also hope I can offer a sense of long term investment. That’s how John Lewis has done well, we’ve stuck our course and invested wisely for the long term.

“We want the economic policy for the West Midlands to stick rigidly to where there is a long term opportunity.”