James Newman accepts call to extend LEP leadership
5th February 2014
James Newman has accepted a request from the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Board (LEP) to remain as the LEP Board Chairman until September 2015.
The Board's request follows the recommendations of a cross sector review panel convened as James' three year term as Chairman came to an end. The panel included representatives of key private sector stakeholders the Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, LEP Board members and sector group chairs, as well as local and central Government partners. The panel recognised that the coming 18 months will bring significant changes to the work of the LEP and its partners, including the negotiation and agreement of a multi-year Strategic Economic Plan and the foundation of the new Sheffield City Region Authority. The panel concluded that these changes will necessitate a full review of the role of LEP Chair, which will begin in September 2014. The review will inform a full recruitment process, with a view to appointing a new LEP Chair in summer 2015. James has indicated he will not be seeking reappointment and will fully support the new Chair as he or she assumes their new role. LEP Chairman James Newman said: -I am delighted to have been asked to continue my leadership of the LEP, and will maintain my focus on helping the public and private sectors work together to drive economic growth in the City Region. Nigel Brewster, LEP Board Member and Managing Director at Brewster Pratap Recruitment Consultants, said: -James has led the private sector's engagement with the LEP and has built the City Region's reputation in Whitehall and we are delighted he has agreed to stay on as Chairman of the LEP. LEP Board Member and Barnsley Council Leader, Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton CBE, said: -The LEP Board has recognised the strong contribution and leadership of James Newman over the last three years and felt it right that he stays on to lead the LEP through the significant challenges of delivering the SCR Growth Plan deal and the LEP's partnership with the new Sheffield City Region Authority.
