Breaking news: ASDA’s Clarke to chair Marketing Leeds
ASDA chief executive Andy Clarke is to be the new chairman of Marketing Leeds with PWC’s Roger Marsh to take the role of deputy chairman.
The appointments come as Marketing Leeds undergoes a major overhaul bringing together the existing organisation with Financial Leeds, Locate in Leeds, Leeds Visitor Centre and Conference Leeds.
The announcement, made by Leeds City Council chief executive Tom Riordan at today’s Leeds Chamber of Commerce annual lunch, will raise expectations that the long search for a new chief executive may also be approaching an end.
The pair will take up their new roles next month when current chairman Nigel McClea’s term of office comes to an end.
Coun Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “I am delighted that Andy has agreed to chair Marketing Leeds and steer it through its evolution into a major player in attracting jobs, investment and people to the city.
“As the head of one of the country’s biggest retailers with a major international company behind it, Andy is a key player in the commercial sector. This further consolidates the city’s links with ASDA, which of course has its headquarters here in Leeds.
“It is a further bonus to have Roger’s expertise with his experience with one of the major international players in the financial industry as well as having also worked at the heart of government. Andy’s and Roger’s input will be invaluable as we continue to work very hard to improve opportunities for local people in the face of enormous economic and employment challenges. They will help ensure that Leeds really capitalises on what it does best.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the outgoing chair, Nigel McClea, who has provided excellent leadership to the board of Marketing Leeds over the last three years”.
Question marks remain over who will be the new body’s chief executive despite an exhaustive search which begin in February.
In July, Deborah Green announced her decision to resign as Marketing Leeds chief executive, saying that while she had been involved in discussions about taking the role in the new body she had nevertheless decided to stand down.
