The Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership today announced the appointment of six new private sector Board members to continue the drive for further economic growth in the region.
Since its creation in 2010 the Local Enterprise Partnership, which invests in infrastructure, transport, skills and business growth projects, has been central to growth in the regions economy.
The six new Board members bring a wealth of experience, contacts and expertise across a range of disciplines including professional services, property, marketing, transport and manufacturing and will take up their seat on the Board in September.
The new Board members include:
- Peter Kennan, Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser and Chair of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce & Industry Transport Forum
- Tan Khan, Monaghans
- Julia Muir, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gaia Innovation Ltd and Founder UK Automotive 30% Club
- Lucy Nickson, Chief Executive Officer – One Health Group
- Ged Shields, former Vice President for Corporate Planning and Development at Sherwin-Williams and Chair of the Barnsley Economic Partnership
A further announcement will follow regarding the sixth appointee.
Alison Kinna, Senior Vice President, SCM at Outokumpu also joins the Board as a co-opted member.
The new Board members join the LEP at a pivotal time for the region. The region has experienced first time in a generation high value advanced manufacturing jobs growth and in the last four years the LEP has supported projects creating thousands of new jobs across the region, including major investment in road infrastructure at Junction 36 in Barnsley and access to Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the IPort development through the Great Yorkshire Way. The LEP has also invested in deals to bring McLaren Automotive and Boeing production facilities to the regions Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District in the Sheffield-Rotherham economic corridor.
Sir Nigel Knowles, chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “These appointments continue to strengthen our work, which is central to stimulating economic growth across the region. I also want to put on record my thanks to those Board members whose terms have come to an end. The commitment of these private sector leaders to work with our public sector partners to drive growth in the region is testament to the spirit of collaboration we have here.”
The Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, Dan Jarvis MBE MP said: “I am delighted that these new appointments bring real diversity and a more representative balance on the Board in keeping with my aim to make city region boards and advisory panels better reflective of the communities we serve. The private sector voice is essential in driving growth in our economy and will be central to delivering my Global Innovation Corridor vision. I look forward to working closely with them to create an economy that creates prosperity for all our our residents.”
Beckie Hart, Regional Director Yorkshire & the Humber CBI, who was part of the selection process, said: “I was delighted to be part of the Sheffield City Region board recruitment process. Local Enterprise Partnerships have an integral role in lifting productivity across the English regions, so it’s essential that they are equipped to deliver. To do so they need talented and committed board members – I am convinced that the new board members more than fit the bill.”
