The search is on for a business leader to head up the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.
The LLEP is advertising for a new chairman or chairwoman to replace Kevin Harris – managing partner of RSM’s Leicester office – who recently stepped down after four years in post.
The figurehead acts as a voice for the region locally, nationally and internationally and work closely with partners at the Midlands Engine and Westminster.
The LLEP was launched in 2011 to drive economic growth and since then has helped allocate £200 million of investment plus a further £360 million of match funding into key projects such as the St Margaret's regeneration gateway, Charnwood Campus biomedical science park, Space Park Leicester, the MIRA Enterprise Zone, near Hinckley, and the more recent Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone.
The LLEP says the right person for the job will be a “successful and respected individual with a significant track record of organisational leadership, entrepreneurship and management”.
The unpaid role covers three years and demands at least four days commitment each month.
The closing date for applications is July 1 and interviews will take place in the week starting July 11.
The successful candidate will lead a board made up of public sector directors from local government, and senior non-executive directors from the private sector.
They will also steer the LLEP’s work with local and national government on the emerging Levelling Up and County Deal agendas.
Former Loughborough MP and business consultant Andy Reed OBE is serving as interim chair and will return to his role of deputy chair once an appointment is made.
Mr Reed said: “This vacancy arrives at a time of change for LEPs which presents a real opportunity to shape our role alongside local and national partners for years to come.
“We expect the LLEP board to change in coming months as we recruit both the new chair and new directors to replace those whose current term is coming to an end.
“I’m looking forward to discussing our opportunities and challenges with candidates over the summer as they bring in fresh ideas and new networks which will build upon the progress made by Kevin, the board and our officers over recent years.”
Application details are on the LLEP website.
