Local Enterprise Partnership announces new chairman

6 April 2011

A Local Enterprise Partnership set up to boost the economy of York, North Yorkshire and the East Riding has appointed a top entrepreneur as its first chairman.

Barry Dodd, who turned a two-person start-up operation in North Yorkshire into a multinational company with four manufacturing plants across the UK, is to Chair the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

‘’I am delighted that Barry has been offered, and has accepted, the position of Chairman’’ said Paul Grimwood, Chief Executive of Nestle UK, who led the panel interviewing candidates for this crucial role. “He brings a wealth of professional experience to the role, and will be a powerful ambassador for this new partnership.”

As well as developing the GSM group from its start-up as a two-person operation to a major multinational, Barry is also the chairman and major shareholder of two high tech software and systems companies.

’York and North Yorkshire has some of the most INTERESTING, INNOVATIVE and ENTERPRISING business people in the UK. Those three key words will set the standard for our LEP’’ said Barry. ‘’

‘’I am really looking forward to Chairing the Board. We will formulate a simple strategy covering no more than one page of A4 paper and then quickly get on with delivery, Business needs delivery not words. It’s all about growing the private sector economy.’’

The Local Enterprise Partnership will put the private sector firmly in the driving seat to support business expansion and remove barriers to growth. Barry’s first task as Chairman will be the appointment of a majority of private sector business leaders to the Board.

“In the past ten years Barry has devoted a day a week to unpaid public service,” said Councillor John Weighell, the Leader of North Yorkshire County Council – one of the local authorities supporting the partnership.

“His appointment is the culmination of a long and impressive record of public service. As a serial entrepreneur and wealth creator, Barry will bring massive business acumen and professional flair to this hugely important job.”

The LEP was established just over a month ago, following approval by the Government. It enables the private sector and the public sector to take co-ordinated action in driving job creation, prosperity, and investment.

The new LEP will be working closely with existing Partnerships in the Leeds City region and the Tees Valley, as well as a Partnership being proposed for Hull, the East Riding, and Scarborough.

For more information on the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership please go to www.YNYLEP.co.uk

 

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