Following on from the recent announcement of Ruth Dooley becoming the new Chair of Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, GFirst LEP, four new Board members have also been appointed to the LEP Board.

• Tyler Attwood, Founder/Director of Your Next Move Ltd
• Nicola Bird, Founder and Managing Director of AccXel Ltd; Safety and Business

Development Director of Bell Contracting

• Matt Charman, Head of Public Sector Marketing at Google
• Joe Roberts, Director of Roberts Limbrick Ltd

On the 31st August 2021 four current private sector board members come to the end of their permitted terms on the board: Dr Diane Savory, Adam Starkey, Mike Warner and Rob Loveday. Lorrin White, due to changes in personal circumstances, also decided to step down from the board at the same time.

The recruitment process for new private sector board members took place between April and July of 2021. After an extensive selection process, four exceptional candidates have been appointed and will serve a first term on the GFirst LEP Board from 1st September 2021 to 31st August 2024.

David Owen, CEO GFirst LEP said, “We were overwhelmed with both the quality and quantity of the applicants looking to join the GFirst LEP Board. Of course we are sad to have to say goodbye to Diane, Adam, Mike, Rob and Lorrin who collectively have served nearly 35 years on the GFirst LEP Board and have been fantastic assets to the Board, but I look forward to working with our new Board members and I’m sure their energy and enthusiasm will be invigorating.”

There have also been changes in Local Authority Membership of the GFirst LEP Board.

Steve Jordan from Cheltenham Borough Council stood down from the board following the local elections in May 2021. District authorities have approved the appointment of Doina Cornell, Leader of Stroud District Council as their representative and the appointment of Richard Cook, Leader of Gloucester City Council as observer to the board.

Tyler Attwood, Founder/Director of Your Next Move Ltd commented on his appointment, ‘‘I’m excited to join the GFirst LEP Board and work alongside many talented, inspiring individuals and to continue its mission in making Gloucestershire the best place it can be for both its residents and for business.’’

Nicola Bell, Founder and Managing Director of AccXel Ltd said, “I am both honoured and humbled at my appointment to the GFirst Board. I am very excited to use my private sector experience to support and contribute to the Board, the GFirst vision, and more importantly, the County.  Equally, I am eager to learn from my appointment to closer align both public and private sector business practices to enhance partnership and collaboration for the betterment of Gloucestershire. I cannot wait to get started!”

Matt Charman, Head of Public Sector Marketing at Google commented; “I am inspired by the bold strategy that GFirst LEP has set in place for the region and I look forward to partnering with this outstanding team, local businesses and the community to help deliver it.”

Finally, Joe Roberts, Director of Roberts Limbrick said, “I am delighted and humbled to have been invited to join the board of GFirst LEP. I hope that my experience as both a business leader and award-winning designer will enable me to bring both commercial and creative thinking to the role, as well as expertise in key areas such as construction, design, regeneration and placemaking.”

If you would like to find out more about how GFirst LEP supports Gloucestershire through sustainable economic growth please visit www.gfirstlep.com .

Ends

Editor’s notes:

GFirst LEP, Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership is led by the business community in partnership with the voluntary, education and public sectors to help Gloucestershire realise its economic potential.

Since its inception in 2011, GFirst LEP has successfully bid for over £112 million from central Government funding projects right across the county including The Growth Hub network, the Central Transport Hub in Gloucester city centre, Farm 491 in Cirencester, Cyber Central in Cheltenham, Gloucester Services on the M5 and the Five Valleys Shopping Centre in Stroud.

The GFirst LEP Board observes the highest standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity, including their obligation to declare any personal or business interests which might conflict with their responsibilities as a Board member.

For further information on the GFirst LEP Board – http://www.gfirstlep.com/about-us/the-board/