2010 Review: Top trio leave in year of change

THREE of the North West’s leading businessmen headed for the exit lounge in 2010.

Geoff Muirhead, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group and Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the North West Development Agency both retired, while Philip Green, CEO of United Utilities, the region’s sole representative of the FTSE 100, annouced that he would be stepping down early in the new year.

Of this trio, only the departure of Steve Broomhead, the affable NWDA boss could not have been predicted a year ago. Mr Muirhead, 61, had flagged up his retirement for the last two years, while with UU having completed the sale of its non-core assets, Mr Green’s departure was not totally unexpected.

Mr Broomhead, who had led the Warrington-based quango for seven years, announced his departure at the NWDA’s annual meeting in October, clearly unwilling to preside over its wind-down after the new government wielded the axe on the entire regional development agency network.

A passionate advocate of the region, Mr Broomhead’s talents have not been totally lost, as he has now taken up a role as Professor of Entrepreneurial Education at Liverpool Hope University.

Elsewhere, veteran retailer Sir David Jones, who led troubled JJB Sports through its darkest hour, severed his ties with the business on health grounds.

More recently, the sudden departure of Ivan McKeever, of office and retail fit-out firm Styles & Wood was announced.

There was significant change in the Manchester ‘family’ as it is known. Colin Sinclair, chief executive of the city’s inward investment agency MIDAS, left for a new role at commercial property group Bruntwood.

He was replaced by Angie Robinson, pictured, latterly chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. The chamber replaced Mrs Robinson with Clive Memmott.

The change in government – which brought about the demise of the NWDA – will also spell the end of Business Link North West, in its current form at least. It was therefore no great surprise to see the exit this month of Peter Watson, who led the organisation for four years.

Nationally, Macclesfield-educated Richard Lambert announced he would step down as director general of the CBI, while Terry Schouler of North West engineering company Ferranti Technologies left to become UK head of EEF, the industry lobbying group.