LLEP welcomes three new board members

The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) is delighted to announce the appointment of Chas Bishop, honorary graduate of the University, Karen Smart and Neil McGhee as new LLEP Board Members from the Private Sector.

Chas Bishop is Chief Executive at the National Space Centre and has been in post since the opening in 2001.  He launched the National Space Academy and NSC Creative production company in 2008.  Chas recently helped develop the Government’s Innovation and Growth Strategy for Space.

Commenting on his new role as a LLEP Board Member, Chas said: “I am thrilled to be joining the LLEP board.  Leicester’s global reputation for space research is about to take another giant leap forward with the arrival of Space Park Leicester and the consequent influx of businesses keen to exploit world class facilities and draw from the highly attractive skills pool on offer.

“My partnership work with the University of Leicester, several colleges and a number of space companies, together with my creative industries experience and non-executive roles will help provide an insight into a range of Leicester and Leicestershire’s priority sectors in the coming years, particularly in the ever-growing tourism industry and creative service industry.”

Chas was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws in 2017.

Other board members appointed alongside Chas are:

Karen Smart joined East Midlands Airport as Managing Director in April 2018.  She previously held several senior operational roles at London Stansted Airport.

Neil McGhee is Director at Sempervox, a Leicester based small business that uses digital technology to help businesses run their companies from anywhere in the world.

The LLEP board consists of 15 board members that includes 8 private sector members, one of whom must be the Chair, the City Mayor, Leader of the County Council, two District Council Leaders, Vice-Chancellor of one of the three universities, a Principal of one of the further education colleges and a Voluntary and Community Sector representative.

The LLEP Board plays a key role in helping the LLEP to shape the local economy by influencing local and national government, as well as providing effective governance to the partnership. They shape and deliver the Midlands Engine Strategy and the government’s Industrial Strategy and act as ambassadors for Leicester & Leicestershire at a local, regional and national level. Board Members make key investment decisions and oversee the LLEP’s spending. They are responsible for making sure that the partnership’s investment delivers value for money and achieves maximum economic impact. To find our more and view a full list of board members visit http://bit.ly/2MqUzGU