New chief exec for Cheshire LEP
Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Partnership has appointed Philip Cox, formerly director of the Department for Communities & Local Government, as its first chief executive, responsible for driving forward the economy of the sub-region.
Cox has worked extensively with both public and private sector partners as part of his role as director of local economies, regeneration and European programmes at the DCLG. Key schemes include the post-Games delivery of the Olympic Park, a £2bn investment to create a new port in the Thames Estuary and the Eurostar High Speed Rail Link to the Channel Tunnel.
Cox will be responsible for the implementation of Cheshire & Warrington's strategic economic plan and investment strategy, which is intended to add £15bn a year to Cheshire and Warrington's economy by 2030.
He will be based at the Gadbrook Park office in Northwich.
DCLG said that it would shortly be launching a process to identify a successor, with the aim of completing this process before Cox leaves at the end of June.
Christine Gaskell, chairman of Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Partnership, said: "Philip is a highly strategic leader and it is great that he is joining the team, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role of chief executive.
"This is an exciting time for the Cheshire & Warrington Enterprise Partnership. Philip will be an innovative and inspiring leader for the senior team who will challenge our thinking to enable us to drive forward the economy of our sub-region and ensure that growth and job creation are achieved."
Cox added: "I am thrilled to be joining the Enterprise Partnership at such a significant time. This role provides me with the opportunity to bring the experience that I have gained in central Government to Cheshire and Warrington. I'm looking forward to helping the area exploit its considerable strengths, including its skilled population, its strong science base, and the construction of the new HS2 high speed rail line."
