LEP formally launches search for new chairman
The Greater Birmingham Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership has formally launched the search for its next chairman.
The LEP has appointed Berwick Partners to spearhead the hunt for successor to Steve Hollis, who has served in the role since the decision by former chairman Andy Street to run for West Midlands Mayor.
The new appointment will be responsible for leading Greater Birmingham and Solihull’s economic growth programme.
Mr Hollis, former Midlands chairman of KPMG and interim chairman of Aston Villa ahead of its takeover by Tony Xia, will stand down at the GBSLEP’s AGM in September.
He said: “When the GBSLEP was formed in 2011 the Greater Birmingham region was an economic laggard compared to its UK regional counterparts.
“Wind forward to 2017 and our region is a stand out economic success story leading the way in job creation, business start-ups, exports and inward investment.
“Household names have and are making this region their home and with HS2 we will be at the centre of one of the largest infrastructure projects the UK has ever embarked on.”
His successor is likely to be a prominent business leader who is a strong advocate of Greater Birmingham; certainly they will have to demonstrate a proven track record of strategic leadership delivering complex multi stakeholder programmes.
Cllr Bob Sleigh, Deputy Mayor and GBSLEP board member, said: “As a region we should be incredibly proud of the achievements that we have secured in the last few years.
“This position presents a fantastic opportunity to work with the private and public sectors in Greater Birmingham and Solihull, playing an active and influential role in the West Midlands Combined Authority and in the Midlands Engine, to develop effective relationships that will support continued growth.”
