The Solent LEP is seeking senior business leaders to volunteer to Chair its Business Support Investment Panel, which makes key decisions on SME projects to support with LEP funding.
Over £10m has been awarded to SMEs by the Solent LEP to date and, through its Growth Deal with Government, the Solent LEP has secured £2m per annum to 2021 to provide additional support to SMEs. This will provide financial support for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs as well as expansion funds for existing businesses in the Solent region with high-growth potential.
Speaking about his decision to retire from the Panel, the LEP’s former Business Support Investment Panel Chair, Brian Luff said:
“Whilst the time has come for me to retire from the Panel, the future is extremely exciting, both for the Solent economy and for the LEP’s Business Support Investment Panel. The new Panel Chair will have the opportunity to work with an exceptional panel of volunteers, with a wealth of experience in both the public and private sector, and collectively shape the future SME investments that will help the Solent to become the UK’s most innovative economy. I would encourage any Solent business leader that is seeking to offer some of their time and expertise to support local business, to take advantage of the opportunity to apply for the role.”
Gary Jeffries, Chairman of the Solent LEP said:
“First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Brian for his contribution to the Business Support Investment Panel for the last six years. He has done a fantastic job in helping the LEP to deliver a future-facing Solent with SMEs at the centre of this. To date, our SME funding programmes have contributed over £10m investment to support more than 250 SMEs. This has resulted in more than £33m additional investment, creating and safeguarding over 1,300 jobs in our economy. Brian will not be easy to replace but, considering the strength of our local business community, I am hopeful that we will be able to find a new business volunteer to join our Panel and help build on the success of our SME investment support in the years ahead."
Individuals interested in this position can find out more and apply here
The Solent LEP is also seeking prominent business leaders to join its Board of Directors and new businesses to become Business Members of the Solent LEP.
Details on how to apply for membership or a role as a Director, or register your interest in future LEP Board roles, are available until Friday 20th April 2018 at the following links:
We have moved - visit our new website www.solentpartners.com