The new Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership has opened its doors and appointed its first chief operating officer.
Work on the region鈥檚 future economic direction begins following the devolution split on the Humber that did for the original pan-estuary LEP.
The board was revealed ahead of launch, and now Teresa Chalmers has been confirmed as chief operating officer, after previously acting as lead on the employment and skills agenda at the organisation's predecessor.
She has more than 25 years鈥 experience of education, training and business environments and was secretariat of the Employment and Skills Board.
Humber LEP chief executive Kishor Tailor will see out the calendar year in an estuary economy handover role, while executive director Richard Kendall has left for pastures new.
He had joined as it launched, from Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce.
Both Ms Chalmers鈥 former role and Mr Kendall鈥檚 will be filled.
A 鈥渟trengthened collaboration between communities, businesses, the two local authorities鈥 has been heralded, with the goal of economic prosperity for all who live, work and study on the North Bank and its hinterland.
James Newman OBE, chair of HEY LEP, said: 鈥淲e are a new organisation with a new structure that is set up to deliver the business support to drive the local economy, ensuring that the private sector is able to contribute to local decision making working with the public sector via the two local authorities.
鈥淲e are fortunate that the majority of the team, who are highly able, are continuing to work for the HEY LEP.鈥
A new evidence-based economic strategy for the new geography is an initial task as the LEP establishes itself as the 鈥榞o to鈥 organisation for support and guidance, while ensuring influence is maintained at Northern Powerhouse and Transport for the North level, and inward investment is flagged.
Mr Newman said the LEP will also be charged with using its convening powers to bring together partners from the private, public and other sectors, to act as an informed and independent voice for Hull and East Yorkshire.
鈥淭he creation of the HEY LEP marks the beginning of a new era for the region and I and the rest of the board look forward to working with both leaders, their councils, the business community and other sectors to create a successful partnership, which will bring more funding to the region, allowing our strategically important industries and all our rural, coastal and urban businesses to drive economic growth, which will benefit the region and all its employees and communities,鈥 he said.
鈥淚t will also be important to make sure we build on the excellent work of the Humber LEP and work closely with our colleagues across the Humber Estuary, where our combined assets and expertise are of national importance.鈥
Hull City Council remains the accountable body.
Cllr Stephen Brady, leader of the council, said: 鈥淗ull City Council congratulates the HEY LEP on their official launch. The council looks forward to our collaboration with them and are united in the goal of improving prosperity for all who live, work or study in the region.鈥
Across the border, at the helm of East Riding, Cllr Richard Burton, said: 鈥淭he official launch of the HEY LEP is the start of a new chapter for the region.
鈥淗ull and East Yorkshire has a great story to tell locally, nationally and internationally in terms of its economic journey, its many successful industries and businesses and its future aspirations.
鈥淭he council is looking forward to working with its partners, through the HEY LEP, to deliver ambition at pace, grow the economy and improve the lives of our residents by boosting business, creating new employment and learning opportunities and ensuring communities across the region thrive.鈥
