University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon has been appointed to the board of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP).
The appointment was among five that were approved at the LEP board, making it more diverse and representative than ever before. With a total of 18 members, 13 members of the board are from the private sector and five from the public sector, with equal numbers of men and women.
Welcoming the new members, Roger Marsh OBE DL, chair of the LEP and the NP11 group of Northern local enterprise partnerships, said: “The new members of the board bring a wealth of experience to the LEP, with diverse backgrounds and perspectives that will be invaluable in supporting our work across Leeds city region.
“The role of the LEP in ensuring inclusive economic prosperity has never been so important, as we work to unlock the potential of the city region and continue to invest the £1 billion Growth Fund agreed with Government in 2015. There are exciting times ahead, particularly with the Local Industrial Strategy, which promises a step-change for the city region’s economy, and the continuing discussions around a devolution deal for the city region.
“I would like to thank the departing board members for all their hard work and dedication. Their efforts and commitment to the LEP’s agenda have had a real and tangible benefit for the LEP, the city region and everyone who lives and works here.”
Professor Congdon said: “I am pleased and excited to be appointed to the board of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership. I will work to support the collective impact of the universities across our region on economic and social growth. Through the exploitation and application of research, the entrepreneurial culture of staff and students and the skills of graduates, universities are vital to securing maximum productivity, prosperity and wellbeing. I will support the board with its mission to secure government investment to leverage the power of the north in boosting productivity. “
Baroness Ann Taylor, the University’s Chair of Council and Pro-Chancellor, said: “I am delighted with Professor Congdon’s appointment to the LEP board and I know that she will bring a wealth of experience and wisdom to the LEP together with a distinct perspective from the region’s vital education sector.”
The new members are:
Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor and CEO, University of Bradford
Helen Featherstone, Deputy Director, Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Simon Pringle, Managing Director, Project Rome
Kamran Rashid, Director, The Socially Conscious Company
Kully Thiarai, Creative Director and CEO, Leeds 2023
