Jan Fletcher to leave Marketing Leeds
THE chairman of Marketing Leeds, entrepreneur Jan Fletcher OBE, is to step down from the organisation after three years.
She will be replaced by Nigel McClea, head of office at one of the city’s biggest law firms, Pinsent Masons.
Ms Fletcher’s involvement with the organisation started four years ago, with the first year spent setting up Marketing Leeds, followed by a further three years as its first chair.
Duncan Mycock, managing partner of KPMG, Leeds and a fellow board member, said: “Jan has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, giving time, support and access to her contacts – often putting the city’s interests ahead of her own. Jan’s greatest contribution has been in winning the support of businesses and partnerships across Leeds and the city region. The city owes her a great debt of gratitude.”
Commenting on her decision, Ms Fletcher said: “I now need to focus on my own businesses, particularly the BHM Group which is expanding rapidly in the Far East.
“I feel confident that it is the right time to step down now. The board has built a strong organisation with a great team, and has a very effective chief executive in Deborah Green. Marketing Leeds will continue to have my enthusiastic support.”
Whilst enjoying some success since its launch, Marketing Leeds has also been dogged by controversy. It parted company with its first chief executive Kevin Johnson after just six months and endured criticism for its ‘Live It Love It’ slogan as it emerged that it had been used in similar campaigns in Hong Kong.
More than 60 businesses from the city region – known as Champions – now support Marketing Leeds, making contributions between £2,500 and £20,000 each.
The website www.leedsliveitloveit.com is attracting up to 200,000 unique visits each month – more than for any equivalent city website in the UK.
In addition, new high profile events are being brought to Leeds this year, such as the World Corporate Games, set to attract over 6,000 participants and the Taste of Leeds, highlighting the city as a national gastronomic centre.
Ms Fletcher added: “Nigel McClea is a well known and respected figure in Leeds and is as passionate about the city as I am. I’m delighted to be handing over to him, to build on the achievements, at what is an exciting time in the development of the city and the region.” 
Mr McClea is a council member of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, a steering group member of the Leeds Property Forum, deputy chair of Leeds Ahead (a not for profit company dedicated to connecting business with the community), a founder sponsor of Leeds Legal and a member of the Leeds Skills Board.
Yorkshire Commercial Property Lawyer of the Year in 2003, he became head of the Leeds office of Pinsent Masons in 2004 and recently celebrated 35 years with the firm.
