A new Economic Growth Board has been created by Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) in August 2024, bringing together key local figures to provide a voice for businesses in the county.
The new body replaces the role of the former GFirst LEP board, with the UK's local enterprise partnerships being transferred to council control by central government earlier this year.
Government guidance following the integration outlined the need for GCC to ensure that the 'independent and diverse' representation of local businesses provided by GFirst LEP continues, by establishing the Economic Growth Board.
The new board will take on economic oversight of The Growth Hub network; inward investment; sector specific business groups; and food and drink initiative Made in Gloucestershire.
Six former GFirst LEP board members have been appointed to the new board, with county councillor Mark Hawthorne, who recently announced he was stepping down as GCC leader in September 2024, serving as its chair.
Partner at Hazlewoods accountants and former GFirst LEP board chair, Ruth Dooley; managing director of Cinderford's AccXel Construction School and KW Bell Group COO, Nicola Bird; former newspaper editor and director of Business West for Gloucestershire, Ian Mean; senior development engineer at Cotswolds firm Renishaw, Lucy Ackland; and leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, Rowena Hay, have all been appointed having previously served as GFirst LEP board members.
Joining them are county councillor David Gray; vice chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, Clare Marchant; principal and chief executive of Gloucestershire College, Matthew Burgess; development manager of the Federation of Small Businesses for Gloucestershire, Sam Holliday; CEO of Cheltenham-based IT security firm Red Maple Technologies, Rob Stemp; chair of Cheltenham BID and managing director of Cheltenham-based Beards Jewellers, Alex Rose; and leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, Richard Stanley.
The board will meet four times a year, with the first meeting scheduled for September 2024.
Chair Mark Hawthorne commented: 'I am thrilled to welcome our new board members; their experience and strategic oversight will bring a wealth of knowledge to launch this new board.
'They will ensure that the voice of business is heard and help to drive sustainable economic growth in Gloucestershire.'
