Nigel Brewster, of the Brewster Partners Recruitment Group, has been appointed vice-chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for a second term.
In his role, Nigel will be working closely with James Muir, who took up the role of LEP Chair earlier this year. LEP Board members shape the economic strategy for the Sheffield City Region and ensure that the organisation maintains its focus on growing the economy.
Nigel’s appointment, which follows an open and robust recruitment process, will see him supporting the Chair in overseeing the performance of the LEP.
Nigel said: “I am delighted to accept the position of vice-chair of the LEP for another term, particularly as this opportunity comes as such an exciting time for our region. We are refreshing our approach to local economic development and renewing our case to Government for further investment in the city region.
“Working with James as LEP chair and fellow LEP members, I’m proud to be able to represent private sector businesses during this period of economic growth and opportunity, working together to ensure Sheffield City Region is known around the world for our specialisms in areas such as advanced manufacturing and digital, our skilled workforce and our cutting-edge collaborations between academia and industry.”
James Muir, LEP Chair, said: “Nigel has a wealth of experience in working with partners in the Sheffield City Region and has played a hugely influential role in his first term as LEP Vice-Chair. His achievements as a vice-chair, in addition to his wealth of professional experience, made Nigel stand out among a very strong field of candidates.
“While as Chair I will be working closely with the Mayor, the Combined Authority, Government and major private-sector investors, Nigel as vice-chair will be focusing on the performance and governance of the LEP.
“The need for Nigel’s substantial skills and experience as a LEP board member and as vice-chair, is underscored by the LEP’s continued need to respond positively to national challenges, as provided through the National Audit Office, the Public Accounts Committee and the Government’s LEP Review.
“The Sheffield City Region is absolutely committed to equality and diversity. This recruitment process, the growing scale of the LEP’s work, and the opportunity to diversify our board further, has made me reflect that there’s a strong case for seeking to appoint a second vice chair to the LEP Board. We will be particularly promoting this second vice-chair role to women and others with protected characteristics. This is a matter I’ll be discussing with the Board at the earliest opportunity.”
Nigel is a founding Partner of Brewster Partners Recruitment Group and has responsibility for actively managing a number of key client relationships, as well as personally delivering on senior recruitment, search and selection assignments for senior management and executive level appointments. Out of work, Nigel has a keen interest in Government policy on skills development and employment.
As vice-chair of the LEP, he will be leading on LEP governance, accountability and transparency standards, overseeing delivery of the Local Growth Fund (LGF) programme, and working with LEP Board members in ensuring effective financial oversight of that programme.
The Local Growth Fund (LGF) is government funding awarded to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) for projects that benefit the local area and economy. In the Sheffield City Region, it has enabled transformative schemes such as the Great Yorkshire Way in Doncaster, the Grey to Green public realm works in Sheffield; the Glass Works development in Barnsley and the new Gulliver’s Valley theme park and resort to be built in Rotherham.
Nigel’s appointment is one of the first major appointments made by James Muir since he became the new LEP chair earlier this year.
As Chair, James’ role is to work in close collaboration with Mayor Dan Jarvis to lead the development of a refreshed Strategic Economic Plan for the LEP, and work with Government to lead the development of a Local Industrial Strategy.
Recruitment for the LEP Chair and vice-chair takes place every three years.
