Businesspeople are needed to join new Advisory Boards at the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, steering the future of an area with an economic output worth more than £45billion.
D2N2 is the private sector-led Local Enterprise Partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary organisations; which promotes economic growth in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It is England’s fifth largest LEP (of 37), covers an area with a population of over two million and has an economic output of around £45billion GVA (Gross Value Added).
The LEP manages over £500million in resources (via funding from the UK Government and European Union) to invest in its business growth, capital projects, infrastructure, employment promotion, social and community projects, and other services.
Twelve additional private sector board members are now being sought to join four new Advisory Boards for the D2N2 LEP; to better push forward on objectives to boost its area’s economic growth, as set out in its Vision 2030 Strategic Economic Plan.
The Advisory Boards, which will use their expertise and experience to advise the main D2N2 LEP Board, are:
- Place Board (2 private sector board members needed) – The Place Board will advise the main D2N2 Board on ways to continually improve the quality of places people live and work in, and visit, across the D2N2 LEP area. This will include advice and proposals around vital infrastructure and connectivity (both transport and digital broadband), and the marketing and promotion of individual places; with reference to the ideas, implementation and investment proposals set out under the ‘Place’ key priority in the Vision 2030 Strategic Economic Plan.
- People and Skills Board (2 positions available) – This Board will develop, put into practice and oversee delivery of the ‘People and Skills’ element of the Strategic Economic Plan; and be the Skills Advisory Panel for the D2N2 LEP. Board members will also lead on developing the ‘People’ element in D2N2’s upcoming Local Industrial Strategy, to be published early next year (2020).
- Business Growth Board (4 positions available) – Its members will contribute to the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan ambition that, by 2030, the LEP’s area will have a world-class innovation-led, highly productive economy, with a global reputation for manufacturing excellence. The Business Growth Board will focus on making sure D2N2 LEP area businesses are backed in maximising their growth potential and productivity, by coordinating help available in the area and structuring how future support should work. Board members will oversee delivery of the D2N2 Growth Hub’s targets. The Growth Hub is part of the LEP and helps small and medium-sized enterprises via a wide range of free programmes.
- Innovation Board (4 positions available) – The Innovation Board develops a strategic and coordinated approach to innovation activities, to drive forward the D2N2 LEP area’s economic growth ambitions detailed in its Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) and Science & Innovation Audit report. The Innovation Board will work with universities, policy-makers, delivery partners and businesses to improve the area’s productivity; as set out in the SEP’s ‘Innovation’ priority section.
D2N2 needs 12 new private sector board members to join these Advisory Boards, particularly those with expertise in the work of the Boards, to contribute towards the development of their policies and priorities.
Applicants should have significant experience of working within a successful business based within the D2N2 LEP area, so as to demonstrate credibility and achievement as a driver of private sector growth; be an excellent communicator; demonstrate real leadership; have a good knowledge of the D2N2 LEP area and its needs; and possess extensive business networks and contacts. They must also be available to serve on the D2N2 LEP Advisory Boards for up to three years; and to attend regular meetings and events; with one to two days per month needed for the role (expenses only are available for the roles).
The closing date for Advisory Board member applications is 12noon, Friday 14 June. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to meet the Chair of the Advisory Board they’ve applied to. An announcement will be made in July on successful applicants.
Elizabeth Fagan (below), Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Our area’s economy faces great opportunities but also great challenges, in 2019 and beyond.”
“We want 12 private sector applicants for our four new Advisory Boards; to provide them with expertise, new ideas and to best reflect the communities we serve across the LEP area.”
Applicant packs, including a job description and required attributes, can be requested from the D2N2 LEP or downloaded from the D2N2 LEP website.
Applications should quote the reference ‘D2N2 Advisory Board Application’ and include a letter outlining how applicants’ experience and networks would benefit the LEP, paying particular attention to the ‘Experience and Attributes’ criteria outlined.
Please specify which particular board you are interested in and why. All applications will be acknowledged. Please submit your application to: sandra.casey@d2n2lep.org.
For initial enquiries, in confidence, please contact D2N2 LEP Chief Executive Officer Sajeeda Rose on 07879 350140 or email: sajeeda.rose@d2n2lep.org
