Three more years in charge of Greater Birmingham LEP for Andy Street
Andy Street, the chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, has been given a three year extension to his contract ensuring that he remains in post until 2017.
Deputy LEP chairman Steve Hollis and Alan Volkaerts, lead Board Director for Skills and Employability and Operations Director at Jaguar Land Rover, will also remain on the board for a term of three further years, it was confirmed today.
The announcements have put paid to any speculation that Mr Street, who is the chief executive of John Lewis, and Mr Hollis, a former regional chairman of KPMG, might stand aside when their positions at the top of GBSLEP come up for renewal later this year.
And in an attempt to strengthen its commitment to the creative sector, GBSLEP also confirmed the appointment of broadcaster and chair of mac birmingham, Anita Bhalla, to its board.
Ms Bhalla replaces Wade Lyn, who will continue to be an ambassador for the LEP and social enterprises in Greater Birmingham.
Formerly Editor of Public Space Broadcasting at the BBC, Anita Bhalla holds a range of different posts in the education and creative sectors and has recently served as chair of the Creative City Partnership, supporting these industries in Greater Birmingham.
GBSLEP Chair Andy Street said: “Having Anita on the Board will provide even greater impetus to our efforts to support the creative and digital industries.
“We recognise the huge importance of these industries to our economy and Anita’s vision and contacts will be invaluable.
“I would like to pay tribute to the work that Wade Lyn has done – particularly around social enterprise and create an environment of better regulation for our businesses – and I know everyone is pleased that he will continue as a board ambassador.
“I am also delighted that in addition to new blood, we have been able to secure significant continuity at a time when we are at a crucial stage on our journey.
“I am hopeful this will give stakeholders and government the assurance that we have continuity for the next three years and can continue to make progress.”
Ms Bhalla said: “Greater Birmingham stands on the brink of something exciting and I’m delighted to be able to play an increased part of this as a LEP board director.
“It is also an indication of just how vital the LEP views the creative and digital sectors, not just as an employer and economic driver, but also a contributor to the quality of life and cultural offer in Greater Birmingham.”
GBSLEP is currently preparing a submission to Government for Local Growth Fund investment aimed at helping the organization to meet targets in its Strategy for Growth.
The targets include:
- Increase GVA by more than £8 billion by 2020.
- Create in excess of 100,000 (net) private sector jobs by 2020.
- Boost indigenous and inward investment.
- Achieve global leadership in key sectors.
- Build a world-class workforce.
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