The chairman of a West Midlands regional business body is to step down from the post in November.

Former Sainsbury’s Bank chief executive Tim Pile has led Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) for the past four years.

He will be succeeded by Anita Bhalla as interim chairwoman following the LEP’s AGM on November 24 with a view to having a permanent successor installed by March.

Mr Pile said in a statement he was relinquishing his role “for personal reasons”, adding that the decision had not been an easy one to come to and he also planned to step down from his other posts.

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“It has been a huge honour and privilege to serve the region over the last four years alongside GBSLEP’s dedicated board members who give their time and expertise to drive inclusive economic growth across the region,” he said.

“I would like to thank the past and current executive team who have worked tirelessly to fulfil GBSLEP’s vision of creating the best city region by devising and delivering projects that create jobs and better places for all of us to work and live in.

“I am particularly proud of the way in which GBSLEP has continued to deliver on its core commitment of accelerating growth in priority sectors while delivering capital projects throughout the pandemic.

“The Government is reviewing the role of LEPs and I firmly believe that we have a critical role to play in the government’s Plan for Growth and Ten Point Plan, Green Industrial Revolution and Levelling Up.

“The outcome of the LEP review will be published later this year and will give the successor to the role of GBLEP chairperson an opportunity to shape the organisation as it moves into its next phase.”

Ms Bhalla added: “Tim has led GBSLEP with integrity, dedication and commitment over the last four years.

“His work in bringing together business, local government and academic partners has resulted in investments that have boosted the region’s economy.

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“Before the pandemic hit, our economy had grown twice that of the average major English city-regions since 2010 – a phenomenal achievement.

“Shortly after the first national lockdown last year, Tim steered the board and executive into taking swift action to mitigate the immediate impact of the pandemic on businesses across the region.

“His outlook and ambition have put GBSLEP in the strong position of playing a role in economic recovery based on locally led business intelligence – a remarkable achievement in unprecedented times.”