LEP seeks new business members to join our board
The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership is seeking new business members to join its Board to help deliver its ambitious plans for jobs, skills and growth across the area.
“The people we need will have a strong track record in business and be willing and able to contribute their skills and experience to help the LEP bring jobs and growth to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire,” said LEP chairman David Frost CBE.
“The Board works as a team and members take a lead on particular areas, so we are looking for people with complementary strengths in various areas of industry and commerce. For instance, we are particularly keen to recruit a member with finance and accountancy expertise, and a member with a background in or understanding of the small business economy.
“We are looking to attract new members from across our region and from all sectors. We want the Board to reflect the diverse business community of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.”
The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP is a business-led partnership bringing together businesses and public sector partners to create jobs, improve skills levels and grow the local economy.
LEP vice-chair Kerry Diamond, who is planning to step down in early summer, said: “As a finance director in a leading automotive business with experience in businesses generally I was keen to become involved in the SSLEP as a business Board member. I have led on finance and know that my experience has been valued by the Board in ensuring that our resources are invested wisely. I have been able to use my knowledge of the sector to advise on skills and business investment activities.
“As a business Board member I have had the opportunity to ensure that the voice of the business community is heard loud and clear and to make a real difference in shaping the future of our area. I would urge local business leaders who are passionate about a successful economic future for the region to apply to join the LEP Board and play their part in making Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire a great place to live, work and invest.”
The LEP is providing more than £147m of investment over the period to 2021 in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. This includes putting in the infrastructure to open up employment and housing sites, funding new education and training facilities, and supporting business growth. Further contributions from government, local authorities, colleges and the private sector will bring the grand total invested through its strategic economic plan to some £315m.
Infrastructure investment includes the LEP’s flagship Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone, comprising six strategic employment sites along the A500 in Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. Other examples include Branston Locks, Burton upon Trent, where a 50-acre employment site is being created alongside 2,500 new homes and community facilities, the 82-acre Meaford Business Park near Stone, and the Four Ashes employment site in South Staffordshire.
The LEP’s support for existing businesses includes a Business Helpline and Growth Hub, which since its launch in 2012 has helped nearly 4,000 businesses with mentoring, training and access to finance.
The LEP is also funding a range of town centre improvement projects including a £2.95 million investment in the Tamworth Enterprise Quarter, and a contribution of more than £7 million to access and street scene improvements in and around Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre and railway station.
The LEP works with universities, training providers and businesses to identify and meet the skills needs of the future at intermediate and higher levels. It is funding advanced manufacturing and engineering hubs in FE colleges, supporting the development of the new Mercia Centre for business leadership at Keele University, and AMRICC, Stoke-on-Trent, which aids R&D and commercialisation in ceramics and applied materials.
Business people interested in joining the Board can download more details and a person specification here: SSLEP Business Board Members – Role
Applicants should submit a short CV outlining their experience and capabilities to chair@stokestaffslep.org.uk marked “Board Vacancies”. The closing date for applications is Friday 26th May 2017.
If you wish to discuss these Board positions please email us with your availability and telephone number and we will get back to you.
