Civic roles for prominent supporters of Yorkshire’s economy

The chairman of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and the CEO of the Piece Hall in Halifax have been appointed to be deputy lieutenants of West Yorkshire.

Roger Marsh, who is also chairman of the Piece Hall Trust, along with Piece Hall CEO Nicky Chance-Thompson, both confirmed their new roles.

Commenting on Twitter yesterday, Chance-Thompson said: “I’m very proud to announce that along with my chairman Roger Marsh OBE and other esteemed individuals doing great things in Yorkshire, I have been appointed a deputy lieutenant by the lord lieutenant for West Yorkshire.

“I am honoured and grateful to have this opportunity and look forward to serving the county.”

Chance-Thompson led the team during the transformation of the outstanding Georgian era Piece Hall property.

Opening on Yorkshire Day in 2017, the renovated building has attracted successful independent retailers and substantially boosted footfall for Halifax town centre.

Roger Marsh

Also reacting to his appointment yesterday, Marsh said: “Well what a thing…I guess it’s not every day when you find yourself appointed as a deputy lieutenant for West Yorkshire. A true privilege.”

In addition to his LEP role, Marsh is chairman of the NP11, the Government-funded board which includes the chairs of each of the 11 LEPs in the Northern Powerhouse area.

Earlier this summer he was reappointed to the national council of the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Marsh has more than 30 years’ experience in business recovery, turnaround and insolvency and received the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Director of the Year Awards, Yorkshire and the North East.