The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) will be jointly-chaired as it continues to work with partners on proposed devolution while simultaneously managing internal process and governance.
Andy Reed OBE, who has been serving as interim chair since Kevin Harris announced his decision to stand down in April, will continue to focus on shaping the future of the LLEP.
Mr Reed has been meeting with a host of partners across local and national government in recent months against the backdrop of a proposed County Deal or other devolution arrangement.
He will continue to lead on external strategy, supported by new co-chair Anil Majithia.
Mr Majithia has served on the LLEP Board for four years and will focus on day-to-day business activities and internal governance.
Mr Reed said: “We’ve been talking regularly with our partners and other stakeholders about proposed devolution since the start of the year now.
“It’s good that Anil will be joining me as co-chair to support our Board and leadership team on our business-as-usual activities as I focus on engaging with local political leaders as they work to find the best devolution solution for Leicester and Leicestershire.”
Mr Majithia said: “I’m delighted to partner with Andy as co-chair and am looking forward to working with Board members and teams to ensure that appropriate board level oversight and assurances are in place to support good corporate governance of our day-to-day operations.”
Mr Reed will continue to chair LLEP Board meetings and the forthcoming AGM, with Mr Majithia chairing in his absence.
The vacancy came after Mr Harris, Leicester managing partner and regional accounting head for RSM UK, stood down from the role in April.
Mr Reed, is the director of a specialist strategic consultancy and served as Member of Parliament for Loughborough from 1997 to 2010.
Mr Majithia has various non-executive leadership roles across the public and non-profit sectors, as well as more than 30 years of global business experience.
Meanwhile, a separate recruitment process has been conducted over the summer to find new directors to sit on the LLEP Board, working with the co-chairs and the LLEP’s Leadership Management Team.
Three new directors have been offered positions as a result of the recruitment exercise and will be introduced to the Board at the LLEP’s AGM on 28 September.
