LEP announces new acting CEO
Henriette Breukelaar is to become the acting chief executive of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP).
Current chief executive Katie Trout is stepping down to join the West Midlands Growth Company as director of policy and partnerships.
Breukelaar is currently director of economic strategy at GBSLEP and has held senior positions in regional economic development in the West Midlands for over 20 years.
She said: “Katie Trout has been with GBSLEP since its formation in 2010. Under her leadership the LEP has grown from a small body with no resources, to an integral part of Team West Midlands, driving sustainable and inclusive economic growth and investing £1.8bn into the regional economy once all projects are complete. She has done a tremendous job and leaves the GBSLEP in a strong financial position and a with a highly motivated, experienced and skilled Board and team.
“I am honoured and excited to take on the role of Acting CEO at this critical time. Following the publication of the Levelling Up White Paper, the government has asked LEPs to integrate with combined authorities. This will involve negotiation and collaboration with our partners and with Mayor Andy Street and the West Midlands Combined Authority. I look forward to successfully steering GBSLEP through this transition. Whilst we are working out the details of this, GBSLEP is committed to delivering on our plan for 2022-23 which drives inclusive and green growth across our city-region.
“We will continue to use our agility to shape and deliver programmes and projects that boost our small and medium sized businesses as well as increase the quality of life for all our residents. We have demonstrated this with our quick reaction to Covid-19 and we are already addressing the current challenges of rising energy prices and labour shortages through our Clean Growth Programme and skills work. Crucially, all of our work is underpinned by our robust local insight and our unique structure of bringing businesses, local authorities and academics together to make informed decisions with tangible outcomes.
“On behalf of the board and executive, I would like to thank Katie Trout for her unwavering and incredible contribution in driving inclusive economic growth across the region. I wish her all the best and look forward to working with her in her new role.”
Trout said: “I have absolutely loved working for GBSLEP but feel that after 11 years at the helm now is the time to move on to the next stage of my career and take on new challenges.
She added: “I am hugely proud of what the LEP has achieved over the past decade. None of this would have been possible without the support, commitment, passion and expertise of our board, staff, and partners. GBSLEP really has been a partnership of the willing. I am looking forward to continuing to support the region to realise its full potential in my new role.”
