Following an extensive recruitment and selection process, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) today announced that Sarah Kemp has been appointed as the new CEO of the LEP. She will report to the Chair of the LEP, Steve Fogg, and support the Board to deliver on the economic strategy for Lancashire.
Sarah Kemp brings with her a wealth of experience across a range of sectors, including local government, regional economic development, manufacturing, life sciences and professional services. In her most recent role as Executive Director at Sefton Council, she led on the development and implementation of a new £150m Council strategic investment programme aimed at stimulating the economy, creating new jobs and businesses, and generating new sources of revenue for the Council. Prior to this, Sarah led economic development and regeneration in the North West and Greater Manchester, developing internationally competitive sectors, trade, inward investment, business support, and cluster development.
Steve Fogg, Chair of the LEP, said: “We are in unprecedented times and our economy will need to rebound from the inevitable damage as a consequence of Corvid 19. So I am delighted to announce the appointment of Sarah Kemp as CEO of the LEP, and look forward to working with her to deliver our ambitious growth plans for Lancashire, which are more important now than ever. Sarah brings a strong track record in cross-organisation partnership working, driving efficiency, transformation, investment for social and financial return, developing commercial solutions, and achieving economic growth. She will be a great asset for both the LEP and for Lancashire.”
Sarah, commenting on her new role, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with a great team from the public and private sector to make a difference for Lancashire and I am honoured to have been selected.”
The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is a strategic collaboration between business, universities and local councils which directs economic growth and drives job creation. It was formed in 2011 to make Lancashire the location for business growth and inward investment. Since then the LEP has played a crucial role in coordinating the county’s economic priorities, has secured a £1billion growth plan and brought forward over 50 major growth initiatives. The LEP is now developing a new Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) which will have the county’s people and places at its core, with the focus on improvement and performance of Lancashire’s key towns and cities. It will support all future investment activity and position Lancashire’s key sectors and supply chain strengths and opportunities – driven by productivity, innovation and internationalisation.
County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, Leader of Lancashire County Council and LEP board member, said: “This is an exciting time for the county, with the public and private sector coming together to attract investment, grow our economy and bring highly-skilled jobs to the county.
“We warmly welcome Sarah to her new role and look forward to working with her. Sarah’s experience in the public, private and voluntary sectors will help the LEP Board to deliver strategic programmes that will make a significant difference to business, as well as to people in Lancashire.”
Sarah will begin her new role in April 2020, taking over from the interim CEO Andrew Pettinger who has been in post since early 2019.
