The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has announced plans to strengthen its executive board with the recruitment of three new Directors.
As well as increasing the number of board members to 22, the three appointments are linked to specific remits which are directly aligned to several of the LEP’s economic priorities.
These include skills and technical education, SME business growth and productivity, and strategic place-marketing.
In addition to bringing experience and insight to these specialist areas, the successful candidates will also play a major role in helping deliver the LEP’s overarching Strategic Economic Plan (SEP).
The SEP is underpinned by a public investment framework valued at nearly £1 billion, with almost 50 strategic development, business growth, innovation, skills, infrastructure and place-marketing initiatives underway across the county.
Significant investment projects integral to the SEP include the £320m Local Growth Fund, the £434m City Deal for Central Lancashire and the £20m Growing Places Investment Fund.
Other priority programmes currently being delivered through the LEP’s board include the Boost business support service for SMEs, the county’s Skills and Employment Hub, the £12.5m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and the county’s Advanced Manufacturing and Energy Enterprise Zone Cluster.
Commenting on the expansion of the LEP board Chairman Edwin Booth said: “Lancashire has one of the largest economies in the North with over 53,000 businesses generating £29bn per year. Employment projections and other performance indicators suggest our economy is set to grow significantly over the next ten years, and we need to be geared up to maximise the opportunities which lay ahead.
“We are therefore looking to recruit several new Directors who will help us build on the strong foundations established by the LEP and support our continued delivery of sustainable, high quality and inclusive economic growth.
“Further, we are seeking individuals with a range of specialist skills and experience which match a number of the strategic themes within Lancashire’s Strategic Economic Plan. These include skills and vocational training, driving SME growth and destination marketing.”
“It’s a very exciting time for the county, and we look forward to hearing from candidates who share our passion and vision for a thriving Lancashire at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse.”
