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Search starts for new North East LEP chief executive

The search has started for an experienced and ambitious leader to deliver the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s plans to create more and better jobs for the region.

The new chief executive will have a strong track record in collaborative working to bring together the public, private and voluntary sectors and further and higher education stakeholders working to deliver the North East LEP’s strategic economic plan (SEP) for the North East.

The main responsibility of the post will be driving forward the economic plan, the keystone in the enterprise partnnership’s vision for sustainable economic growth in the region based on ‘more and better jobs’. At the heart of the plan are a range of projects to boost innovation, skills, business support, transport, develop the region’s economic assets and support growth.

Rockpools recruitment agency has been appointed to lead the search on behalf of the North East LEP’s board and the North East Combined Authority.

North East LEP chairman, Paul Woolston, said: “It’s good news that the recruitment process has started for a new chief executive. We are seeking a talented individual to take charge of the integrated team delivering the SEP and build on the LEP’s achievements to date.

“Last month we successfully secured £290 million from the Government’s Growth Deal to take forward our plans. The money – which will help create more than 4,000 jobs and attract an additional £90 million in public and private sector investment – puts us in the top three LEPs for local growth, as we are for European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) investment. That is a clear endorsement of national and European confidence in our plans.

“The region is also one of three LEP areas chosen to run a skills pilot, which will play a vital role in creating the more and better jobs pledged in the SEP.

“We are a proactive LEP: we commissioned Lord Adonis to carry out his independent review into how we could create sustained economic growth for the region, and the SEP sets out the nitty-gritty of how we will achieve this, but we need an experienced and inspirational chief executive to knit all the strands together.”

Coun Simon Henig, leader of the North East Combined Authority, said: “We are working in partnership with the LEP board to find the right person to take on this challenge and help us to move forward our plans for the region’s economic development.

“And this will be a very challenging, but ultimately highly-rewarding role. The successful candidate will be someone able to understand the bigger vision and manage the teams working to achieve our aims. I am looking forward to the appointment as the next stage in the North East’s continued journey towards a strong and sustainable economy for everyone in the region.”

Candidates with substantial leadership experience and with proven successes working with both the public and private sectors should contact Rockpools recruitment in the first instance.

For more details, please visit here or contact consultant Balvinder Sangha, who is leading the chief executive search, on 07739 508312.