REGIONAL FOCUS
London but said he will be taking frequent trips to the West Midlands to fulfil his LEP role when he takes up the chairmanship from May 1.
He said: “The LEP development board has already outlined ambitious plans for the continuing economic rejuvenation of the region, and it will be a privilege to help deliver these plans.
“As a Midlander myself, I am personally excited by the prospect of using the skills I have developed as managing director of John Lewis for the benefit of the citizens of the region.”
The Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP, which will also house one of the Government’s new Enterprize Zones, is one of the country’s largest, compris- ing nine local authorities: Birmingham, Solihull, Cannock, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest.
Andy Street, managing director of the John Lewis Partnership, has been named as chairman of Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.
The appointment was welcomed by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles in his speech to the British Chambers of Commerce annual conference, saying that the input of such “notable business leaders” on the boards of the LEPs as Sir Terry Leahy and Andy Street showed the importance of private sector engagement. Street, a Birmingham native, now works in
Outgoing chair of the LEP Development Board, Bridget Blow, said: “I am delighted Andy Street is taking on the role of chair. He has impeccable credentials and is a key player in the business community, and also has close local knowledge of the area, which will be invaluable assets as we drive forward. These are exciting times – we have just been chosen to develop an Enterprise Zone, and I believe Andy is the ideal person to take the lead and oversee the LEP as it becomes a key player both nationally and on the global stage.”
Weighing up the options
Coventry has signed up to a series of healthy eating strategies to try to alleviate the city’s obesity problem.
Coventry City Council has backed NHS Coventry’s ambitious target to reduce obesity levels among children back to the levels they were in 2000 by the year 2020. Simon Brake, assistant director of policy, community services at Coventry City Council, said: “The association of obesity with deprivation and ethnicity and its grow- ing impact on children are particularly rel- evant in Coventry.”
Among the anti-obesity strategies is the city’s ‘Cook & Eat Well’ programme is one example of this – a £1.4m programme with three separate delivery strands, each of which is trying to reverse the current posi- tion by making healthy eating accessible, available and acceptable. All three strands are led by non-city council groups working closely with existing health agencies, an approach that has been fostered by a re- cent grants programme designed to devel- op the ability of third sector organisations to promote healthier communities.
Tourism body Destination Worcestershire is being abandoned by the public sector into the hands of business.
It is hoped the body can be made self- sufficient in the private sector under the management of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce when it loses its £100,000 regional de- velopment agency funding and £112,000 from Worcestershire County Council.
Ivan Knezovich, chairman of Destination Worcestershire, said the Chamber had “a lot to offer”. He added: “It has the experi- ence of leading and developing a mem- bership organisation and resources which include events, marketing, international trade and training.
“We look forward to working with
Broadway in Worcestershire. Image: Dean Morley
ship, commission and advertising.
Four members of staff, two permanent and two temporary, will transfer to the Chamber’s head office in Warndon, Worcester.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce to build on the successes that we have had so far with our organisation.”
There are plans to develop a new website and to increase revenue through member-
Mike Ashton, chief executive of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We will retain the brand and provide a range of new services for the membership. These will include developing a website which will take bookings not only for accom- modation but for attractions and visitor centres.”
Worcestershire’s attractions bring about 8.6 million visitors to the West Midlands every year, figures show, who spend around £370m.
public sector executive Mar/Apr 11 | 29
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