The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed four new members to its board.
The new non-executive directors replace members who retired after making a significant contribution to the development and achievements of the LEP since its creation.
The new members complement the existing skills and expertise on the board, and support the aspirations of the LEP, which now manages an investment programme of nearly £0.75billion.
Jane Dumeresque, Paul Coles, Paul Crawford, and Vince Flower will take their positions at the next board meeting on Friday 22 January.
Karl Tucker, Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank our retiring Board members for the commitment and energy they have given to us. I am also delighted to welcome our new Board members, who bring a raft of skills and expertise with them, and I look forward to working with them. The LEP has a critical role to play, both in the immediate and longer term, as we work with our partners on delivering plans that will continue to support the Heart of the South West area through the pandemic and beyond it, towards recovery and long-term economic growth for our area.â€
The LEP’s vision is to create a dynamic, highly prosperous region with high living standards and an outstanding quality of life. Its mission is to raise productivity and ensure prosperity for all through driving clean and inclusive growth.
While supporting the vision and mission, the board oversees the LEP’s delivery programme of infrastructure, business support and skills projects. The new board directors, who have a background in private or social enterprise sectors, will help lead and shape the strategies that will deliver the LEP’s mission, delivering for Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay.
Jane Durmeresque is a Non-Executive Director and Trustee for national and regional SMEs and not-for-profit organisations. Jane has over 30 years’ experience in financial services and has also worked in the alternative energy and educational sector.
Paul Crawford is Chief Executive of LiveWest Ltd, formed in 2018 when Devon and Cornwall Housing and Knightstone Housing merged. Paul is a member of Liveable Exeter Place Board and former Chair of Homes for the South West.
Paul Coles is a Technology and Innovation Consultant after recently leaving BT after 31 years, where Paul was BT Group’s English Regional Director. Paul will also be working on regional economic matters and is keen to see how the South West can use digital technologies to not just survive but thrive.
Vince Flower is the former Managing Director of Shearings Hotels, where he provided oversight of operations for 50 hotels located all around the UK. Vince is involved with an impressive number of Devon-based organisations, partnerships, and boards.
Find out more about the LEP Board by visiting: www.heartofswlep.co.uk/about-the-lep/our-board
