The two men at the top of Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership have committed to their roles for another three years.
The GBSLEP board has approved the extension of Andy Street’s spell as chair and Steve Hollis’s tenure as deputy chair, both for a further three years.
It came as former broadcaster and chair of the Midlands Arts Centre Anita Bhalla has been appointed to the board. She will strengthen the board’s commitment to the creative sector and replaces Wade Lyn, who will continue as an ambassador for GBSLEP.
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An ex-editor of public space broadcasting at the BBC, Ms Bhalla holds a range of different posts in the education and creative sectors and has recently served as chair of the Creative City Partnership.
Last year she was elected new chair of Performances Birmingham Limited (PBL), which runs Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham.
Alan Volkaerts, lead board director for skills and employability and operations director at Jaguar Land Rover, will also remain on the board for three more years.
Mr Street said: “Having Anita on the board will provide even greater impetus to our efforts to support the creative and digital industries.
“We recognise the huge importance of these industries to our economy and Anita’s vision and contacts will be invaluable.
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“I would like to pay tribute to the work that Wade Lyn has done – particularly around social enterprise and create an environment of better regulation for our businesses – and I know everyone is pleased that he will continue as a board ambassador.
“We are currently preparing our submission to Government for Local Growth Fund investment which will help us to meet the targets of our Strategy for Growth.
“I am hopeful this will give stakeholders and Government the assurance that we have continuity for the next three years and can continue to make progress.”
Ms Bhalla added: “Birmingham stands on the brink of something exciting and I’m delighted to be able to play an increased part of this as a LEP board director. It is also an indication of just how vital the LEP views the creative and digital sectors, not just as an employer and economic driver, but also a contributor to the quality of life and cultural offer in Greater Birmingham.”
Ms Bhalla was awarded an OBE for her service to Broadcasting and Communities in 2009, and served as High Sheriff of the West Midlands in 2010-2011.