John Lewis MD heads up Local Enterprise Partnership
John Lewis MD, Andy Street, has been named Chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Street, who will take on the role from 1 May 2011 said, “The LEP development board has already outlined ambitious plans for the continuing economic rejuvenation of the region, and it will be a privilege to help deliver these plans.”
He continued, “As a Midlander myself, I am personally excited by the prospect of using the skills I have developed as managing director of John Lewis for the benefit of the citizens of the region.”
The Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP is one of the largest nationally, comprising nine local authorities – Birmingham, Solihull, Cannock, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest. These areas have a total population of almost two million, with a GVA of £36billion – 40 % of the entire West Midlands region, making the LEP area one of the most important nationally. The LEP has recently been chosen by Government to develop an Enterprise Zone.
Outgoing Chair of the LEP Development Board, Bridget Blow, said: “I am delighted that Andy Street is taking on the role of Chair. He has impeccable credentials and is a key player in the business community, and also has close local knowledge of the area, which will be invaluable assets as we drive forward”.
She added, “These are extremely exciting times – we have just been chosen to develop an Enterprise Zone, and I believe Andy is the ideal person to take the lead and oversee the LEP as it becomes a key player both nationally and on the global stage.”
John Lewis has 28 department stores and four John Lewis at home shops across the UK, including a branch in Solihull. In February this year, it announced that in 2014 it will open a new full-line department store in Birmingham. The 250,000 sq ft shop will be one of the largest John Lewis department stores outside London and will create 650 new jobs.
