York and North Yorkshire LEP issues rallying cry for leaders to help economy fight back

.The York and North Yorkshire LEP aims to recruit representatives of the business community to its main board as the economy starts to recover from the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

Jane Lady Gibson, who has been a director on the LEP board for six years, said: “In the new world after the pandemic, we will need to buckle down together and sort out how we get our economy re-started. Everybody’s voice is welcomed and respected around the LEP table.”

Lady Gibson, who is a Hull University graduate with a background in not-for-profit organisations, said the LEP was a strong reflection of the community it served.

She added: “We want to have a diverse range of voices around the table.”

Lady Gibson said David Kerfoot, the LEP’s chairman, “totally understands the patch and welcomes people with diverse views”.

The new board members will be joining the largest, rural LEP in the UK. Covering York and North Yorkshire, the LEP speaks up for 32,250 micro and small businesses.

Apart from being a LEP board member, Lady Gibson is the chair of Spirit of 2012, the independent UK-wide trust established to ensure that the legacy of the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympic Games lives on. She is also chair of Hadrian’s Wall Partnership Board.

She added: “Although we will depend on domestic tourism for the next couple of years, we have got massive advantages with our connectivity through regional airports such as Leeds Bradford International Airport, our rail links and connections with other LEPs.

“We can connect all these things together with our economic plan,” she said. “The basis of our plan is our people and hard-working population.

“The coronavirus has reminded us about the importance of community connections.”

Lady Gibson added: “Cynicism has dropped away because we have become so reliant on neighbours and local businesses. These are the things that have kept people alive and kept people’s spirits up.

“York and North Yorkshire has an international brand recognition. We have a really strong historical thread around innovation and forward thinking.

“That is what our LEP represents. It is an exciting and challenging time as we set the agenda for the next 30 years.

“Issues such as food safety and security have become even more important.

“We are very proud of our connectivity with schools and the region has a very strong position around bio-economy and carbon capture.

“We have a well-educated and resilient population and we can serve the community with canny economic planning. We are a disciplined group but every voice is heard. People listen to the debate and change their minds.”

The LEP is supporting the region’s businesses throughout the Covid-19 pandemic by providing advice and support through its growth hub and growth managers across the region.

Since 2014, the LEP has invested a total of £230m to support business, infrastructure, and skills across York and North Yorkshire in areas such as housing, transport, flood alleviation, social inclusion and workforce development.

The deadline for applications to the main board is Sunday, May 24.

For further information visit: https://www.businessinspiredgrowth.com/news/board-recruitment/

David Kerfoot, the chair of the board, said: “We are seeking local business leaders who can provide challenge and a more diverse perspective to our decision-making.”

He added: “We’re particularly interested if your business is in one of our priority sectors – food and agriculture, bioeconomy, agri-tech and manufacturing, construction, visitor economy, health and social care, the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector – or uses circular business models.”

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