Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership has appointed 5 new board members.
These include Vimla Appadoo, Co-Founder and Director of Culture Design at Honey Badger, green tech entrepreneur Dr Marilyn Comrie OBE and Steve Connor, CEO, Creative Concern.
GM LEP was established to bring together senior figures from the business and academic community to help set Greater Manchester’s “strategic course.”
“The LEP board is a dynamic group of individuals who are all committed to helping Greater Manchester reach its potential,” explained Cllr Elise Wilson, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) economy portfolio lead.
“It’s an exciting time for the city-region as we look to build on our strengths in our frontier sectors – advanced materials and manufacturing, health innovation, digital and creative, and clean growth – and reshape our economy for the better.”
The new appointments are:
- Vimla Appadoo, Co-Founder and Director of Culture Design at Honey Badger, and Head of Experience at Culture Shift.
- Dr Marilyn Comrie OBE, an award-winning serial entrepreneur, green tech innovator and social justice campaigner. She is a director of the motorsport STEM education provider The Blair Project, principal founder of the Black United Representation Network, and CEO of the Manchester Innovation Activities Hub (MIAH).
- Steve Connor, the founder and CEO of Creative Concern. He just finished an 18-month spell as chair of the Community Forest Trust and the Manchester Climate Change Partnership. He is also a member of the North West Forestry and Woodlands Advisory Committee and helped to launch the Northern Forest project.
- Justin Kelly, Director of Corporate Communications and Business Development for Siemens plc and was appointed to the Siemens UK Executive Management Board in 2017.
- Miles Rothbury, the Head of Asset Finance for HSBC UK.
“We’re delighted to welcome Vimla, Marilyn, Steve, Justin and Miles. Each will offer new ideas and fresh perspectives to our board, and I’m looking forward to working together as we look to implement our Economic Vision,” said Lou Cordwell, Chair of the Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership.
“Greater Manchester is a diverse and progressive city-region, with world-leading capabilities in a number of sectors, and our board reflects those qualities. We have assembled a dynamic and forward-thinking collection of people who represent all that’s great about our business community.
“This refresh comes at a pivotal moment, as we look forward to the gradual easing of restrictions and towards an economic recovery. We’re determined to seize the opportunity to reset our economy, creating a greener, fairer Greater Manchester.”
