Yorkshire Forward looks for new chair
YORKSHIRE Forward is looking for a new chair after Terry Hodgkinson decided to step down from the role after six years.
Headhunter Odgers Berndtson has been retained to recruit construction entrepreneur Mr Hodgkinson’s replacement to head the regional development agency along with the chair of its North East equivalent One North East.
The roles, which have a salary of £81,718 for a three-day week, are among more than 80 top management jobs currently listed on TheBusinessDesk.com’s recruitment listings and can be viewed by clicking here.
The search for Mr Hodgkinson’s successor is likely to take up to five months with the closing date for applications November 19 and then long listed candidates interviewed in December and January before shortlisted candidates are interviewed on January 26 and a decision is expected by the end of March.
The next chair of Yorkshire Forward will face the possible challenge of ensuring the organisation’s survival if the Conservative Party win next year’s general election.
The Tories have said they are considering scrapping the English regional development agencies but observers believe that some of their functions, particularly business support and economic development, are likely to remain in some form.
It is believed that headhunters are looking for an individual with the unique balance of experience in business and the private sector but also with public sector experience because of the many partnerships that Yorkshire Forward has with local authorities, education and charities.
One observer, close to the recruitment process, said: “They are looking for somebody who can lead an organisation through a period of change and uncertainty. The right individual will be able to secure a future for an organisation of similar ilk.”
Mr Hodgkinson’s six years at the helm, working alongside chief executive Tom Riordan, is viewed as successful with Yorkshire Forward rated as one of England’s best performing RDAs.
It has led support for the region’s businesses through the downturn and has built up its reputation among an initially sceptical business audience.
Mr Hodgkinson was co-founder and managing director of construction and development firms Magna Holdings and Lemmeleg before joining Yorkshire Forward.
He also previously chaired First, the economic development agency for the Wakefield District and was a board member of the Wakefield Partnership, a committee member for the Heritage Lottery Fund for Yorkshire and a Yorkshire and Humber Construction Forum Board member.
