Gloucestershire County Council unveils members of its new economic growth board
Gloucestershire County Council has unveiled its new economic growth board, which replaces the GFirst LEP (local enterprise partnership) board.
In August last year, the UK government confirmed the transfer of Local Enterprise Partnership functions and assets to upper tier local authorities.
Thus, the role and responsibilities of GFirst LEP was transferred to Gloucestershire County Council on April 1 this year.
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The key role of the economic growth board, which will meet four times a year, is to oversee the Growth Hub network, inward investment, sector specific business groups and the food and drink initiative 'Made in Gloucestershire'.
"I am thrilled to welcome our new board members; their experience and strategic oversight will bring a wealth of knowledge to launch this new board," said Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire county council.
"They will ensure that the voice of business is heard and help to drive sustainable economic growth in Gloucestershire."
The new board members are:
Cllr Mark Hawthorne - Leader of Gloucestershire County Council (Chair)
Cllr David Gray – Gloucestershire County Council
Clare Marchant - Vice Chancellor, University of Gloucestershire
Matthew Burgess - Principal and Chief Executive, Gloucestershire College
Sam Holliday - Development Manager (Gloucestershire and the West of England) Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
Nicola Bird – Managing Director of the AccXel Centre
Ian Mean - Director of Business West
Lucy Ackland - Senior Development Engineer, Renishaw
Ruth Dooley - Partner at Hazlewoods
Rob Stemp - CEO, Red Maple Technologies
Alex Rose - Managing Director, Beards Jewellers/Chair of Cheltenham BID
Cllr Rowena Hay - Leader of Cheltenham Borough Council
Cllr Richard Stanley - Leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council
Holliday said: "Gloucestershire is an amazing county for small businesses and the self-employed to start and grow a business, so I am delighted to be part of this important new group which will try to ensure the needs of the SME community are at the heart of our local economic planning. It will be a privilege to be involved."
Mean added: "I am enthusiastic and privileged to be chosen to join the board.
"Over the last 20 years, I have tried to champion business in my various roles editing newspapers in the region and representing Business West.
"As a county, Gloucestershire punches above its weight and I am sure that the new board will help achieve the economic growth we need."
The first meeting of the board is scheduled for September 5.
