A new era for LEP Board as Chair appointed

Award-winning entrepreneur Mark Roberts has been appointed as Interim Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Board (LEP).

Mark Roberts - who co-founded the highly successful online retailer, Beer Hawk, and has worked within several global blue-chip companies at senior executive level - replaces Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL who stepped down as Chair at the completion of his tenure.

Mark Roberts has been a member of the LEP Board since June 2019 and has served as deputy Chair since March 2020.

The LEP has also formally welcomed 24 new members who have joined to represent private sector business in the region and will work within various Combined Authority committees.

Interim Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Board, Mark Roberts, said:

“I’m delighted to be appointed as Interim Chair of the LEP and I look forward to working with my fellow board members to accelerate our progress and build on the strong foundations laid by Sir Roger Marsh.

“The depth of expertise within the LEP Board means we are in a very strong position to continue to support business across our region and strengthen economic growth.

“I’m extremely passionate about encouraging entrepreneurship and building digital skills and will continue this focus in my new position.

“I’m also delighted that our LEP community has been further strengthened by 24 new members who represent the private sector. To have such a strong representation from a wide range of industries will significantly enhance our ability to support and work with business in the region.

“It also differentiates us from many Local Enterprise Partnerships who would no doubt relish the ability to have such active involvement from the business community.”

The 24 new members who have joined the LEP have been drawn from various businesses and organisations in the region including the professional services sector, engineering, the digital and textiles sectors, as well as manufacturing and the creative sector.

Also, Professor Shirley Congdon – the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford has taken up the role of Deputy Chair of the LEP’s Employment and Skills Committee.