A top entrepreneur has been appointed as the first chairman of a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) set up to boost the economy of York, North Yorkshire and the East Yorkshire.
The York and North Yorkshire LEP’s new head is Barry Dodd who turned a two-person start-up operation in North Yorkshire into a multi-national company with four manufacturing plants across the UK.
Paul Grimwood, chief executive of Nestlé UK, who led the interviewing panel, said he was “delighted” by the appointment.
“He brings a wealth of professional experience to the role, and will be a powerful ambassador for this new partnership.”
As well as developing components supplier GSM group, Mr Dodd is also the chairman and major shareholder of two hi-tech software and systems companies.
He said: “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.
‘’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 LEP will put the private sector firmly in the driving seat to support business expansion and remove barriers to growth. Mr Dodd’s first task as chairman will be the appointment of a majority of private-sector business leaders to the board.
Coun John Weighell, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, one of the local authorities supporting the partnership, said: “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 a month ago, following Government approval.
It enables the private and the public sectors 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 LEP visit YNYLEP.co.uk
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