The Heart of the South West LEP Board has approved the recommendation of the Non-Executive Director interview panel to appoint eight new LEP business board members.
The new board members will take up their positions as the existing LEP board members come to the end of their period of service after the end of May. The board members who are leaving have made a significant contribution to the development and achievements of the LEP since its creation, which now manages an investment programme of nearly £3/4 billion.
The calibre of the candidates was high, and those appointed have the right skills and expertise to take the LEP forward on its journey towards increased productivity in the HotSW area. Extracts from their CVs are set out in the table below; these newly appointed board members have highlighted areas of interest that relate to the LEP’s priorities and roles covered by those directors who are retiring from the LEP board this year.
Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Steve Hindley CBE DL, said:
“I’m delighted that these high calibre business and skills leaders are joining us at the helm of the HotSW LEP. They will bring renewed expertise in a cross section of areas that are relevant to our growing programme of investment, and I look forward to working with them to develop the HotSW Productivity Plan to deliver increased prosperity across the area.
“On behalf of the Partnership, I would like to thank those board members who come to the end of their terms of office this summer. Their insight and commitment has helped our LEP develop into a highly successful partnership that has so far secured circa £750 million of investment from the public and private sector. The new board members will continue the momentum to take us forward on our journey towards transformational growth.â€
| Name | Current Position | Other roles |
| Karl Tucker | Joint Managing Director
Yeo Valley Farms (Production) Ltd |
· Member HotSW LEP People Group
· Member Somerset E & Skills Steering Group · Member Somerset Economic Growth Board · Member SW CBI Council |
| Richard Stevens | Managing Director
Plymouth Citybus Ltd |
· Chairman Plymouth & Devon Chamber
· Chair Plymouth Growth Board · Member PRTF · Numerous other local groups |
| Fiona McMillan | Non-Executive Director
EDF Energy New Build Gen Co Ltd |
· Member HotSW LEP People Group
· Chair Somerset E & Skills Steering Group · Member Somerset Economic Growth Board · Previously Principal Bridgwater College |
| Helen Lacey | Managing Director
Red Berry Recruitment |
· Member HotSW LEP People Group
· Chair IoD Somerset · Vice Chair Somerset Chamber · Previously Vice Chair FSB Somerset · Non-Executive Director Inspire To Achieve |
| Mel Squires | SW Regional Director
NFU |
· Member SW CBI Council
· Member SWRFN · Previously Member HotSW LEP Executive · Chairman of the Seale-Hayne Education Trust |
| Jackie Jacobs | Board member and joint owner
EIC Group / SW Metal Finishing Ltd |
· Board member WEAF |
| Stuart
Brocklehurst
|
Chief Executive
Applegate Marketplace Ltd |
· Governor Petroc College
· Patron of Pilton House Trust · Previously Group Communications Director Amadeus IT Group Madrid, Senior Vice President Visa International, Bishop’s Council Diocese of Exeter |
| David Bird
|
Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking | · Board member DCBC
· Joint Chair Devon Wooden Spoon · Trustee Exeter Foundation (Exeter Chiefs) |
