Several senior figures in the regional business community have been appointed to three key sub-boards of the new Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Business Support, Employment and Skills and Infrastructure themes will be covered, with leading companies represented and those behind them stepping forward.

The spring-launched LEP, a result of pan-Humber devolution deal being dropped by the South Bank local authorities, has made the appointments, with the intention and leadership revealed back in June.

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The appointments follow a successful recruitment campaign, during which the LEP was “overwhelmed” by both the number and quality of applications received.

James Newman OBE, chair of HEY LEP, said: “I am delighted that so many high quality individuals from all sectors have volunteered to support the LEP in its vital work in developing and delivering the economic strategy for the new region.



James Newman, chair of Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
James Newman, chair of Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

“The work that these boards will be doing is an important part of the implementation and delivery of the various economic strategies and funding programmes that will transform the region over the next five to ten years.

“This is an important watershed in the history of the region, with a potential devolution deal on offer and the region at the forefront of the Government’s Net Zero and Global Britain strategies. Never has there been an opportunity for this region to shine and demonstrate its private sector and entrepreneurial strengths in such a united way.’’

The boards will meet for a first time in October, on a bi-monthly basis.

The Business Support Board, to be chaired by Gill Alton OBE, will ensure that businesses can receive and access advice, access to finance and other support to sustain and develop their organisations to flourish, whatever their size and sector.

It welcomes:

  • Jan Brumby (For Entrepreneurs Only)
  • Antonio C Malfense Fierro (Hull University Business School)
  • James Mason (Welcome to Yorkshire)
  • Rachel Smurthwaite (Sewell Group)
  • Jason Speedy (Groupe Atlantic)
  • Nic Dakin (Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce)
  • David Hall (Beverley Park Homes, Minster Leisure Homes, Oaks of Beverley and Halls and Oliver)
  • David Kilburn (MKM Building Supplies)
  • Madge Moore (Yorkshire Food Farming)

The Employment and Skills Board, to be chaired by Jayne Adamson, will focus on reducing the skills gaps in the region, delivering the recommendations of the Local Skills Report, by creating the foundations for the growth of new jobs in the region, in addition to ensuring that young people receive high quality careers advice.

It welcomes:

  • Sue Balthazar (Probe Hull)
  • Kirsty Bark (Soncoco Trident)
  • Catherine Bishop (Tigers Sport and Education Trust)
  • Sarah Bone (Headlands School)
  • Laura Botham (Siemens Gamesa)
  • Daniel Brett (Bishop Burton College)
  • Mark Burley (Keepmoat Homes and Hull Citywide Developer Partnership)
  • Pat Coyle (Rollits LLP)
  • Andy Crossland (Humber Learning Consortium)
  • Nikki Davies (VictoriaPlum.com)
  • Iain Elliott (HETA)
  • David Gent (Active Humber)
  • Liz Hutchinson (DWP)
  • Becky Huxley-Binns (University of Hull)
  • James McIntosh (Catch)
  • Michelle Peacock (Education Development Trust)
  • Mike Welsh (East Riding College/TEC Partnership)

The Infrastructure Board, to be chaired by Stephen Parnaby OBE, will look at future investment opportunities for the region, focussing on transport and placed-based property developments and bring together Government agencies, where required, to expedite these developments.

It welcomes:

  • David Garness (Garness Jones)
  • Tony Kirby (Local Transport Projects)
  • Linda Martin (Sewell Group)
  • Richard Beal (Beal Homes)
  • Eman Forster (Eon Consulting)
  • Andrew Horncastle (Horncastle Group)
  • Tim Rix (JR Rix and Sons)
  • Dominic Gibbons (Wykeland Group)
  • Mark Barratt (Risby Homes)

All three boards will have representation from both Hull and East Riding local authorities.

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