Business Leaders Appointed To LEP Board

The Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has strengthened its Board with the appointment of five new members.

The new appointments ensure the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority will benefit from strong and effective business involvement in decision-making, ensuring business growth remains central to the Tees Valley’s ambitions for the economy.  The new members will also become Associate Members of the Combined Authority, contributing ideas and commitment to deliver on the region’s potential:

• Supporting and offering advice to the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority;
• Championing and promoting specific initiatives from the business perspective;
• Representing the Tees Valley nationally and internationally;
• Ensuring a strong business voice over decision-making; and
• Helping deliver the Strategic Economic Plan.

As well as experience in running successful businesses, generating jobs and delivering complex transformation, the new members bring critical experience in culture, health, customer service and the application of technology.

They join a partnership described recently by the President of the CBI Paul Drechsler “The Tees Valley Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership are a fantastic example of public-private partnership- the strongest and most ambitious in the country”

The new appointees are:

• Alistair Hudson (Director, mima)
• Angela Howey (Head of Consumer, EE)
• Jerry Hopkinson (Chief Operating Officer, PD Ports)
• Mike Matthews MBE (Managing Director, NIFCO)
• Siobhan McArdle (Chief Executive, South Tees NHS Trust)

In addition, the Chief Executive of the North East England Chamber of Commerce, James Ramsbotham, will join as an Observer Member of the LEP, representing the collective voice of six business representative organisations committed to the future success of the Tees Valley:  the Chamber of Commerce, CBI North East, Engineering Employers Federation, Federation of Small Businesses, Tees Valley Business Club and Entrepreneurs Forum.

The Tees Valley has also recruited a wider Business Leadership Group, of 79 business people who answered a call to contribute to the economic success of the Tees Valley.  They will join members of the key business representative groups, at regular events to review and support progress with the region’s growth and job creation.

Paul Booth, Chair of Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The ambitious devolution deal is gathering pace, and the Tees Valley cannot achieve its ambitions without the commitment of the local business community.  I am delighted to be joined by such a dynamic group of leaders in their sectors, demonstrating their commitment to the Tees Valley’s future, and bringing vital expertise and experience.”

Chair of the Combined Authority, David Budd, added: “With our new constitution, and a new Tees Valley Mayor to be elected on 4^th May, it’s great to see the commitment shown by so many of our local business leaders.  They will help ensure the Tees Valley speaks with a strong and united voice, in bringing new jobs and investment into our area.”

Paul Booth and David Budd also expressed their appreciation for two members stepping down from the LEP Board to focus on new business opportunities: David Robinson of PD Ports and Alastair MacColl of BE Group.