The North East Local Enterprise Partnership has appointed a well-known figure from the region's business community to be its new chair.
Lucy Winskell, who is pro vice-chancellor for employability and partnerships at Northumbria University, succeeds Andrew Hodgson, who stepped down from the role earlier this year.]
Ms Winskell, who had a 28-year law career before moving into academia in 2010, is one of the best connected people in the region's business sector.
She has been chair of the North East England Chamber of Commerce’s board for the last six years and is also a member of the CBI’s regional council. She chairs the trustees at Newcastle’s Live Theatre.
She said: “Having supported the work of the North East LEP since its inception, I am delighted to be appointed chair of the board.
“Andrew Hodgson leaves a fantastic legacy and I’m looking forward to building on his work to date. It’s a privilege to work with the board, the executive and the LEP’s stakeholders, both regionally and nationally, to contribute to the successful delivery of the Strategic Economic Plan.
“Given the significant challenges currently presented by Covid-19, it is vitally important that we formulate a cohesive response centred on the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurism that our region excels at.
“Collaboration and partnership working has never been more important than now. My priority will be to support the chief executive and her team, and work with our board and partners, both regionally and nationally to ensure the North East emerges stronger and more resilient, as well as a more sustainable and equitable region to live, learn and work.”
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The North East LEP, which covers Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham, is one of 38 bodies around the country set up to drive the economy of their regions.
The organisation has set itself the target of creating 100,000 new jobs between 2014 and 2024, with 70% of them being classed as ‘better jobs’.
But the region has the highest unemployment rate in the country and a number of key economic sectors - including automotive, tourism and leisure - are amongst those hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
North of Tyne mayor Jamie Driscoll said: “Lucy knows our region inside out. She has a formidable track record and brings with her a wealth of expertise and experience. There’s an opportunity here to pull together as a region so we emerge from Covid stronger and more resilient.
“Lucy gets that. It’s a privilege to welcome her to the job.”
South Tyneside Council leader Iain Malcolm, who is chair of the North East Combined Authority, said: “Lucy is already a fantastic ambassador for the North East and brings both influence and experience to a key role for the region. We look forward to working with her to achieve our joint bold ambition for more and better jobs for everyone.”