Community leader is chosen as chairman
independent chairman to support the partnership as it develops a Midlands-wide transport strategy that can unlock economic growth and power the Government's vision of a 'Midlands Engine'. Nottinghamshire-born Sir John,
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who is chairman of the global luxury brand, Burberry Group plc and leading international banking group Standard Chartered PLC, said: “I care deeply about the Midlands and I’m extremely proud of its heritage and role as the UK’s manufacturing heartland. But it has so much more economic potential still to be tapped, which is why the Government has tasked us with identifying the transport infrastructure needed to help unlock that growth and help power the Midlands Engine. “This is a crucial piece of work because the
constraints on the region's existing road and rail networks are holding back our economy and making our businesses less competitive. If we can speed up journey times across the Midlands we could boost our economy by more than £1bn a year, create an additional 300,000 jobs, save businesses nearly £500m.”
usinessman Sir John Peace (pictured) has been appointed by Midlands Connect as its
BUSINESS NEWS Shake-up for
Stratford Council Stratford on Avon District Council’s support for a West Midlands combined authority has been warmly welcomed by chair Councillor Bob Sleigh. Councillors at Stratford voted at
Sir John was appointed at the inaugural meeting of the Midlands Connect board which took place in Birmingham. Fellow associate board member
and Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, said: “It's clear that by developing a single transport strategy for the region, Midlands Connect will make a huge
contribution to boosting the region’s economy. That is why the government has provided £5m to take this work forward. I am delighted to see Sir John Peace appointed
as the group’s independent chair. His skills and experience will be vital in helping make the Midlands an Engine for Growth.” Sir John retains close ties to Nottinghamshire and
is the Queen’s representative for his home county, serving as its Lord Lieutenant. He is committed to supporting his local
community and has a longstanding interest in education. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, he has been a trustee of the Djanogly City Academy in Nottingham since 1999 and chairs the Nottingham Economic Growth Board. He also set up a youth employment fund when he was High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 2011 and was knighted in the Queen's birthday honours list the same year.
their meeting to reverse a previous decision taken in October last year. Councillor Sleigh, who chairs the
emerging authority’s shadow board, said: “We warmly welcome the decision taken by Stratford District Council. It demonstrates that the WMCA has something to offer everyone and it strengthens the partnership further. “We recognise Stratford's
decision comes at a time when consultation on the first phase partnership has already started, so it won't become a member until later in the year. However the council will be welcome around the shadow board table until its formal membership can be progressed.” Councillor Chris Saint, Leader of
Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: “We have always been a big believer in partnership working and where you cannot do things on your own, joining a partnership gives you greater resilience and greater freedom allowing us to make sure our district benefits as much as possible.”
MARCH 2016 CHAMBERLINK 17
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