Applications are invited from business leaders to chair the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership

The York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (Y & NY LEP) is launching a campaign to recruit a new chair for its main Board as the term of office for current chair, David Kerfoot comes to an end next March.

Applications are being invited from dynamic and experienced business leaders with drive, energy and a passion for York and North Yorkshire.

The chair will be required to lead the board and help to achieve the LEP’s ambitious vision to strive for a carbon negative region by building a greener, fairer and stronger economy, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and work with partners to realise the region’s devolution ambitions.

The LEP, one of 38 in England, is a business-led partnership between the private sector, local authorities, universities and colleges across York and North Yorkshire. Its role is to help shape future priorities, develop partnerships and secure public and private sector investment.

£230m investment

Since 2014, the Y & NY LEP has invested a total of £230m to support business, infrastructure, and skills across the region including housing, transport, flood alleviation, social inclusion and workforce development.

David Kerfoot has been on the Y & NY LEP board since its inception in 2010 and was deputy chair for six years before becoming chair in 2018. He will stand down on 31 March 2021 as his term of office comes to an end.

He said: “It has been a great pleasure and honour to lead this dynamic partnership and although there have been challenges, none more so than with Covid-19, it has been a very rewarding role.

“As chair, you are able to make a real difference ‘on the ground’ and I look forward to seeing a new chair take up the legacy and lead the LEP’s vision to build a greener, fairer and stronger economy for the region as we emerge from the pandemic.

The LEP is looking for a successful business leader who has a knowledge and passion for York and North Yorkshire and who is committed to what the LEP is trying to achieve. It is not a role for a ‘figure head’, it needs someone who is prepared to roll their sleeves up and get ‘stuck in’.

“During my time as Chair, I’ve seen that it’s not necessarily the biggest investments that make the biggest impact – it’s the ability of the LEP to bring together various organisations, local authorities and businesses that makes the greatest difference and gets things done.”

The LEP is committed to diversity and inclusivity in its recruitment of staff and Board Members and this will be reflected in its approach to this recruitment campaign.

Further information is available and applications can be submitted online here.

Applications will close on Friday 2nd October.