AGMA calls for business leaders to join LEP

Greater Manchester business leaders are being invited to join the new Greater Manchester local enterprise partnership.

The government approved the establishment of the private sector-led LEP last October and since then a shadow LEP has been in place to prepare for the formation of the new body in April.

The membership of the body is expected to be a mix of public and private sector figures.

Lord Peter Smith, chairman of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, said: "One of the reasons for Manchester's success in recent years has been the strong partnership between the public and private sectors.

"By joining the LEP, business leaders in the city region can play a key part in shaping and strengthening that relationship in the months and years to come."

AGMA said the recruitment process will be an open one to ensure that everyone who believes they can make a contribution will have the opportunity to do so.
The LEP will comprise one non-local authority chairman, eight other non-local authority representatives and up to four AGMA representatives. AGMA said it is seeking to appoint individuals from the private sector from a broad range of industries, as well as potentially individuals from other sectors.

Other sectors, for example, includes higher and further education and the voluntary sector, who the council said can demonstrate a strong understanding of the needs and requirements for growing Greater Manchester's economic base.
Successful applicants will sit on the LEP as individuals and will not be there to represent the views of their company, industry or representative body.

LEPs are designed to support business and local authorities to grow the local private sector, tackle major barriers to growth and develop shared strategies for the local economy to increase job creation.

The AGMA acts as the voice for the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester.

The closing date for applications is 12pm on Monday 21 February.

• For more information about what the role entails, the application process and contact details visit the AGMA website