Local Charity Chairman Receives New Year Honour

13th January 2017

James Newman has been awarded an OBE for services to Business, economy and charity in Yorkshire.

The recently appointed Chair of the South Yorkshire's Community Foundation (SYCF) charity and former Chair of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Board, is thrilled at the honour. The former Master Cutler and current chairman of Finance Yorkshire, founded the Sheffield City Region LEP in 2010 and led the City Region in creating the strong City Region private/public sector partnership and securing major funding deals from Government, including the historic £900 million Devolution Deal he signed with the Chancellor in October 2015. Chief Executive of SYCF, Ruth Willis said: -I am absolutely delighted that James has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List, as he has made a major contribution to South Yorkshire and the city region. I also feel we are very lucky to have access to his range of knowledge and expertise as our new chairman. James has long been dedicated to building a stronger Yorkshire and his inclusion on the 2017 honours list is a credit to his contribution so far. His recent move to Chair the board of South Yorkshire's Community Foundation will help him continue with these efforts. SYCF is a grant making charity which works to improve lives in South Yorkshire's communities. Through raising funds from businesses, philanthropists, trusts and statutory bodies, SYCF puts it back into meeting the needs of local people facing economic hardship and other barriers to their aspirations. The South Yorkshire charity is also excited to welcome back Jonathan Hunt, former Chairman of ten years, into the role of Vice President. Mr Hunt replaces Peter Lee, who has now retired from the role.