Private man in a public role as Sir Peter Rigby becomes LEP chair

SIR Peter Rigby is to be the new chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The entrepreneur businessman who owns Coventry Airport was voted in as chairman of the partnership – set-up by the government to boost the local economy – a fortnight ago but wanted time to see how his nomination was received by the business community.

But now Sir Peter, whose Birmingham-based firm SCH is the largest privately-owned IT group in Europe and the fifth largest privately-owned company in the UK, has accepted the post and is relishing the challenge.

Martin Yardley, managing director of the LEP, said: “Sir Peter is a very private man who never courts the limelight but he is taking on this role to move the LEP forward to help us achieve all we can for the economy of Coventry and Warwickshire.

“He has a clear vision which we want to drive forward.”

Sir Peter said: “I have been involved in the LEP since day one and feel very strongly that it offers a real opportunity for this area to help build a stronger economy for the benefit of everyone.

“It has made a good start in several areas but there is a great deal of work to be done if we are to ensure that the LEP helps Coventry and Warwickshire realise its undoubted potential.

“I wanted time to see what the feedback of my possible appointment would be and I have been very encouraged by the level of support.

“The more I have become involved in Coventry and Warwickshire the more I have seen its economic potential, and am convinced that business has to play a major part in driving it forward.”

Sir Peter has outlined his plans for the LEP to fellow board members.

They include establishing a formal constitution for the LEP, moving to appoint a new and dedicated CEO, mobilising support and action from within the public sector at a local and national level and securing on-going finance for the LEP.

He is also keen to review the make-up of the board and reaffirm the LEPs goals.

Sir Peter’s appointment was welcomed by Martyn Hollingsworth, CW LEP board member and director, engineering technical services, at Jaguar Land Rover.

He said: “Following the very successful establishment of the CWLEP I am pleased to welcome Sir Peter as chair for a year.

“His skills and experience will help steer the LEP through the next phase of development to become a strong, independent, private sector-led body focused on creating jobs and opportunity in Coventry and Warwickshire.”