Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership welcomes five new board members

THE Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (GM LEP) is set to appoint five new board members as the city-region looks to create a fairer and greener economy beyond the pandemic.

Joining the board are:
• Vimla Appadoo, Co-Founder and Director of Culture Design, Honey Badger
• Dr Marilyn Comrie OBE, Director, The Blair Project
• Steve Connor, CEO, Creative Concern
• Justin Kelly, Director, Siemens UK
• Miles Rothbury, Head of Asset Finance, HSBC UK

The GM LEP is the body that brings together senior figures from the business community, academia, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and other public sector leaders to set Greater Manchester’s strategic course and drive prosperity, economic growth and job creation in the city-region.

Last year the LEP launched the city-region’s new Economic Vision, a blueprint for remodelling Greater Manchester’s economy beyond the pandemic. The Vision includes a range of long-term initiatives to promote sustainability, rebalance inequalities and encourage diversity, while also helping businesses innovate more effectively and become more productive.

The new board members have been appointed to help drive the vision forward, using their skills and drawing on their experience from key sectors.

Lou Cordwell, Chair of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership (GM LEP), said: “We’re delighted to welcome Vimla, Marilyn, Steve, Justin and Miles. Each will offer new ideas and fresh perspectives to our board, and I’m looking forward to working together as we look to implement our Economic Vision.

“Greater Manchester is a diverse and progressive city-region, with world-leading capabilities in a number of sectors, and our board reflects those qualities. We have assembled a dynamic and forward-thinking collection of people who represent all that’s great about our business community.

“This refresh comes at a pivotal moment, as we look forward to the gradual easing of restrictions and towards an economic recovery. We’re determined to seize the opportunity to reset our economy, creating a greener, fairer Greater Manchester.”

Cllr Elise Wilson, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) economy portfolio lead, said: “The LEP board is a dynamic group of individuals who are all committed to helping Greater Manchester reach its potential.

“It’s an exciting time for the city-region as we look to build on our strengths in our frontier sectors – advanced materials and manufacturing, health innovation, digital and creative, and clean growth – and reshape our economy for the better.”