Local Enterprise Partnership appoints Chair
21/11/13 – for immediate release
The Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has today announced the appointment of Steve Hindley as Chair of the board, effective from the end of December
Steve was formally chosen as Chair following a board meeting by the LEP earlier today (Thursday 21stNovember) – existing Chair Tim Jones will continue in his role until the end of December; he then continues as a board member.
With over 40 years’ experience in the construction industry at both project and company board level, Steve brings a combination of public and private sector experience to the role. He is the current Chairman of the CBI Construction Council, former Chair of the South West CBI Council and is also a member of the Construction Leadership Council (Chaired by Vince Cable). In addition, Steve is a trustee and deputy chairman for the Devon Community Foundation; a trustee of Children’s Hospice South West and on the board of governors at the City of Bristol College.
He was awarded the CBE in the 2006 New Year Honours List for services to the Construction Industry; appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Devon in 2009 and had an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering conferred upon him by Exeter University in 2011.
Steve said: "I’m absolutely passionate about the wealth creation role of business for society as a whole. I also believe there is a great need to nurture our local businesses in order to create and maintain sustainable jobs within our communities. So I am very much looking forward to working with the other members of the board of the HotSW Local Enterprise Partnership to drive economic growth across the Heart of the South West”.
Vice Chair, Frances Brennan said: “Steve is a high calibre candidate with a strong business background in a number of industries. The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership will benefit from his experience in a variety of ways, helping to shape the economy of Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay.
“Tim Jones, who will remain a valued member of the Board, has had a number of high profile achievements during his time as chair – including securing £4m of Growing Places Funding, £200m of pinch point funding for transport schemes and £2.9m to develop a Rural Growth Network across the area. I would like to thank Tim for the enormous amount of work he has done for the LEP and for the number of achievements he has secured for the Heart of the South West area as a whole.”
Chair, Tim Jones said: "I am looking forward to passing on the baton to Steve and being an active Board member, ensuring that the voice of the private sector remains key to our partnership. It has been a fascinating experience and I am keen that we maintain the momentum. I wish Steve every success.”
For more information about the work of the Heart of the South West LEP, visit www.heartofswlep.co.uk
Notes to Editors:
For more information, contact Emma Parker or Liz Waugh at Coast Communications on 07944 360631 / 07966 388921 / main office 01752 847135.
Heart of the South West
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been formed under the leadership of the private sector supported by the local authorities from Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay and the area’s District Councils. It is one of 39 partnerships created since the Government’s Local Growth White Paper published in October 2010. More information about the work of the LEP is available from the website www.heartofswlep.co.uk.
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