Prominent Yorkshire businessmen given accolades in Queen’s Birthday Honours

TWO Yorkshire businessmen have been honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Chief executive of  Welcome to Yorkshire, Gary Verity, has been given a knighthood for services to tourism and the Tour de France Grand Depart 2014.

Chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, Roger Marsh, has received an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to business in the region.

He has overseen the growth of the LEP over the past two years, under which the region secured the largest Growth Deal in the UK, totalling £1bn of government investment.

Mr Marsh said: “Having lived and worked in the Leeds City Region for several decades now, I believe passionately that our region has the potential to drive forward both the North’s and the nation’s success.

“This recognition spurs me on to ensure that our ambition for good growth becomes reality, not just aspiration, and that all of our citizens, communities and businesses can share in the prosperity we are delivering now and in the future.”

Mr Marsh worked for nearly 40 years at PwC before becoming chairperson of the Leeds LEP in 2013. 

He is also a member of the HS2 Growth Task Force and a board member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.