Local Enterprise Partnership looking for key executive

GBSLEP begin search for new Deputy Chair to drive growth programme.

The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership has begun the search for a new Deputy Chair to lead the delivery of its ambitious Growth Programme for the Greater Birmingham region.

The organisation’s current Deputy Chair for Delivery, Chris Loughran, will step down at the end of 2020 following four and a half years serving on the board, making a significant contribution to driving forward the LEP’s agenda.

The role of Deputy Chair will take the lead in activities related to the LEP’s capital projects, a pipeline and existing portfolio of exciting and strategically important projects that are key to creating the conditions for the economy to continue to grow. GBSLEP’s capital investment help to create new jobs, unlock new homes and support new learners.

The role will also include chairing GBSLEP’s Programme Delivery Board and involve close collaboration with business and academic leaders, local authority leaders and neighbouring LEPs, as well as other key stakeholders across the region to deliver GBSLEP’s ambitions.

Chair of GBSLEP, Tim Pile (pictured) said: “Chris has made a quite exceptional contribution to the GBSLEP and to the region – we are profoundly indebted to him for everything he has achieved on so many levels: for being a fantastic ambassador for the LEP

over the last four and a half years; for his leadership of our capital interventions that drive inclusive economic growth; for his relentless focus on delivery…..and for so much more! I would like to publicly thank him for his service.

“This position presents a fantastic opportunity to play an active and influential role in our region’s recovery, driving inclusive economic growth, creating jobs and improving the quality of life for all of our residents. Working with partners to bring forward interventions, GBSLEP, as a business-led partnership of the Private, Public and Educational sectors, can make a genuinely positive difference in shaping the future of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull region, thus improving the lives of our citizens.

“The impact that LEPs can make to their local areas has been manifestly demonstrated through the pandemic, and the cross-sector collaboration that LEPs enable will continue to be vitally important as we head toward the end of the EU transition period and beyond.

“Our region has been very successful over the past years, however there is still so much to be done to ensure we fully grasp every opportunity to recover stronger and greener. There’s never been a more important moment to join GBSLEP and I hope to see a diverse set of leaders come forward to offer their skills and expertise to continue to drive forward our mission. Working together, I am confident that we can unlock the full potential of our region.”

GBSLEP has appointed Berwick Partners to lead the search. For more information about the role, contact Marek Dobrowolski, Associate Partner, by emailing Marek.dobrowolski@berwickpartners.co.uk or calling 07793529576.