Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL steps down as LEP Chair

15 June 2022

Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL has been praised for having made “a huge contribution to businesses and communities across West Yorkshire”, after he formally stepped down as Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Board (LEP). 

Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL was Knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2021 for services to business, economy, and the community across North and in West Yorkshire. He has been Chair of the LEP since 2013 and has led the organisation through a period of significant transformation, including securing the country’s largest ever Local Growth Deal with Government. This £1 billion-plus agreement is being used to help transform the region’s economy by improving transport networks, building more housing and supporting businesses to grow and develop.

Sir Roger was also instrumental in agreeing the West Yorkshire devolution deal and in bringing Channel 4’s new National HQ and news centre to Leeds. He is also Chair of the Trust which operates the Piece Hall in Halifax and has played a major role in promoting the Grade 1 listed building nationally and internationally. 

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: 

“I want to thank Sir Roger for his tireless commitment to promoting and developing our region and for everything he has helped achieve to make West Yorkshire a better place to live, work and be in business.

“As he steps down from as Chair the LEP, we can look back on the huge contribution he’s made, over many years, to businesses and communities across West Yorkshire, the wider Leeds City Region and the North.

“Sir Roger has not only been a prolific advocate for our region, both nationally and internationally, but many people in business and public life will have benefited from his guidance as a trusted mentor, advisor and colleague, driving investment and encouraging talent into our Northern towns and cities.

“And in the future, as the role of the LEP changes, I look forward to working closely with its members to share insight and ideas and continue the important work to drive inclusive growth and support business throughout West Yorkshire.”

Sir Roger Marsh OBE DL added:

“I feel proud and privileged to have chaired the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Board. As a team, we have improved the performance of our region’s economy and given West Yorkshire a confidence to face the future.
“Our economy has developed so that, pre-pandemic, we became a net contributor to the exchequer and we will be again, and I am proud of the work we have done as a Board to support this.

“I believe that West Yorkshire is a region of ideas and innovation and I’m delighted that, at the conclusion of my tenure, this is being recognised via things like Bradford being named 2025 City of Culture and Bradford University’s recent ranking as the best in the world for its welcome to international students.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has served alongside me on the LEP Board for their friendship and fellowship. There is still work to be done but I believe the future is bright for West Yorkshire and the North.”

Bradford City Council Leader and Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority Councillor Susan Hinchliffe said:

“Sir Roger Marsh has done so much for West Yorkshire and we are better for it. He has also shown that, as a region we need to reach further and faster and I would like to thank him for all his work.”

Kirklees Council Leader Councillor Shabir Pandoor said:

“The way in which Sir Roger Marsh has brought together West Yorkshire’s local authority leaders with the private sector has been very powerful and beneficial. The Leeds City Region Enterprise partnership is recognised in many quarters as the best Local Enterprise Partnership in the country and that’s due to Sir Roger’s passion and energy.”

Mark Roberts, newly appointed Interim Chair of the LEP Board and founder of Beer Hawk, commented:

“Sir Roger Marsh leaves a genuine legacy of partnership between the private sector and the public sector. Those of us who continue to work within the LEP team hope to be able to continue and build on this in the future.”

The meeting of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership Board (Wednesday June 15) was the last in its current form. Following the government’s review of all Local Enterprise Partnerships, the LEP will become an advisory body and will continue to work closely with West Yorkshire Combined to drive inward investment, boost the region’s economy, and support businesses and entrepreneurs.