Businesses urged to nominate LEP chairman
BUSINESSES in the Birmingham-led Local Enterprise Partnership area have been tasked with finding the figurehead who will chair the new body as it seeks to establish itself following the demise of regional development agency Advantage West Midlands.
Firms across the city, together with those in the LEP’s other constituent areas – Solihull, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth – are being invited to nominate suitable candidates.
The 15 members of the LEP board will comprise seven business representatives and seven council members – most likely the council leader – in addition to the chairman.
An advertisement will go out early in the New Year seeking applications for the chairman, who will be expected to have a high-profile business background, as well as the seven business representatives.
A job specification, listing the necessary knowledge and skills, is being prepared for all the business roles and individuals will be expected to have experience of starting up and running different size businesses in a range of sectors.
Bridget Blow, interim chairman of the LEP Development Board, said: “Research undertaken by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group across the LEP area has shown high business support and a willingness to get behind and back the LEP’s commitment to becoming the easiest place in Europe in which to set up and run a business.
“58% of businesses surveyed claim to understand the role of business within the LEP and 65% say they are actively committed to supporting the LEP.”
Cllr Mike Whitby, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “The political leadership of Birmingham, Solihull, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield and Tamworth has already worked extremely well together with their colleagues from the business community.
“We have built a powerful and unprecedented partnership, with a strong vision to drive the UK growth agenda.
“As we move to the next stage it is essential that we inspire and capture the imagination of the best business people from across the LEP area and I look forward to working with these business representatives who will make a real difference, in what promises to be a very important partnership.”
Nominations for the role of chairman and business representatives of the Local Enterprise Partnership Development Board should be sent to: Bridget Blow, c/o Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group, 75 Harborne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3DP.
A regular eUpdate with all the latest news and developments on the LEP has also been launched. To receive it businesses should send an email to info@yourlep.biz or visit www.birmingham-chamber.com.
