Black Country LEP boosts board with new appointments
THE Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership has strengthened its ranks with a number of new board appointments.
The body, which promotes economic development within the Black Country area, is chaired by Stewart Towe, managing director of Hadley Industries in Smethwick. He is joined on the boards by four new business leaders.
Vicki Wilkes, managing director of Brierley Hill-based Phoenix Calibration and Services Ltd, is the new support on employment, education and skills to Professor Ian Oakes, of Wolverhampton University.
Simon Eastwood, managing director at Wolverhampton-based Carillion has taken on John McDonough’s role as private sector lead on planning for the LEP. Mr McDonough retired as managing director at Carillion and from his position on the LEP board last year.
Ninder Johal, managing director at Wednesbury-based live event production agency Nachural Corporate Communications, is the LEP’s new private sector lead for perception and communications.
Meanwhile Dr Chris Handy, group chief executive from housing organisation Accord Group situated in West Bromwich, is taking on the new role of social enterprise lead for the LEP.
Mr Towe said: “We are delighted to welcome our new members who I am sure will prove invaluable in helping to further strengthen the skills and knowledge base of the board as we continue our work to remove barriers to growth for firms in the Black Country.”
In addition to the private sector representation, senior representatives from each of the four Black Country councils of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton, will also sit on the board.
