LDA head to join Marketing Leeds as CEO

MARKETING Leeds has ended its long search for a chief executive after appointing Lurene Joseph, the head of the London Development Agency, to fill the post.

Ms Joseph will join the recently relaunched body focussed on attracting inward investment and visitors to the region when the LDA closes on March 31 next year.

Ms Joseph joined the LDA, the Mayor of London’s regional development agency responsible for driving London’s economic growth, in 2004.
 
Marketing Leeds will continue to be headed by Jean Dent as acting chief executive until Ms Joseph joins the organisation in April next year.

The body is undergoing a restructure that will see Leeds City Council bring together Marketing Leeds, Financial Leeds, Locate in Leeds, Leeds Visitor Centre and Conference Leeds.

The new organisation will retain the Marketing Leeds brand and use its company structure.

Ms Joseph said: “I am delighted to be offered the post of chief executive of the new Marketing Leeds. The city is moving forward with a great ambition and there is huge potential here for investment and growth.

“I am excited by the challenge of spearheading the drive for Leeds to achieve its vision to attract global interest and investments.”

Andy Clarke, chairman of Marketing Leeds and chief executive of supermarket group Asda, said: “I’m delighted that Lurene is joining Marketing Leeds to lead it through an important phase as it becomes a broader body for attracting new jobs, investment and visitors to our city. 

“With a proven track record of delivery in large organisations within both the public and private sector, I’m sure she will bring a wealth of new ideas and highly relevant experience to this important role, and be a fantastic ambassador for the city.”

Coun Keith Wakefield, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “It is a great coup for us to have on board someone with Lurene’s vast experience, both in development and in driving forward ambitious plans.”

Prior to joining the LDA, Ms Joseph was responsible for brand and communications across the European arm of oil giant Shell.

She has also held a vice president position at American electricity corporation TXU and began her career as a research associate in financial services and marketing at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology.