New LLEP directors introduced during in-person AGM at City Hall

• New Directors welcomed by Co-Chair during Annual General Meeting

• Seven existing LLEP Directors reappointed for further three years

• Thanks given to former Directors Kevin Harris and Jaspal Singh Minas

Three new directors have been welcomed onto the Board of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) during an in-person AGM at City Hall.

The trio were officially announced during the well-attended annual general meeting in Leicester on Wednesday evening.

They will be among 19 LLEP Directors tasked with making decisions relating to the delivery of the objectives and outcomes set out in the Economic Growth Strategy.

The new directors, who take up their roles after a public recruitment exercise during the summer, are:

• Gosia Khrais, Commercial and Marketing Director, Charnwood Campus

• Jo Tallack, Senior General Manager, Highcross Leicester

• Glynis Wright MBE, Partner, Nelsons Solicitors

The LLEP Board comprises 16 Directors. They are ambassadors for Leicester and Leicestershire at local, national and international level. The roles are unpaid and last for a minimum term of three years.

Elsewhere in the meeting, LLEP co-chair Anil Majithia offered thanks to the two directors who stepped down from the Board over the last 12 months.

Former LLEP Chair Kevin Harris, Leicester managing partner for RSM UK, and Jaspal Singh Minas, who served as President of the Leicestershire Asian Business Association (LABA) and led the formation of the National Asian Business Association, were each recognised for their work over the last eight years.

Mr Majithia, said: “We thank Kevin and Jaspal for their commitment and leadership since 2014 and also welcome Gosia, Jo and Glynis to the LLEP Board.

“Each is a well-known and respected local leader with a deep knowledge of their sector and of regional and national networks.

“We know that they will contribute a great deal to the LLEP and look forward to them getting started.”

Seven existing directors were reappointed to serve further three-years terms on the Board. They are:

• Andy Reed OBE, Founder, Saje Impact

• Anil Majithia, Chair, Regional Advisory Board East Midlands, Canal and River Trust

• Emma Anderson, Director, Freeths LLP

• Dr Nik Kotecha DL OBE, Chairman, Morningside Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Neil McGhee, Chief Executive, Sempervox Ltd

• Chas Bishop, Chief Executive, National Space Centre

• Verity Hancock, Principal, Leicester College

The National Local Growth Assurance Framework requires all LEPs to meet minimum diversity requirements. The LLEP must have a minimum of one third female representation. This week’s changes mean that it now has nine female Directors and 10 male.

Elsewhere at the AGM, LLEP co-chair Mr Reed presented the LLEP’s Annual Report while Mr Majithia described the annual Financial Statement.

Loughborough University updated on progress at the £9m SportPark 4, which is being part-funded through the Getting Building Fund and is nearing completion.

There was also a public Q&A which included an update on the ongoing County Deal talks, with Mr Reed noting that any future devolution would take several years to introduce.

He closed the meeting by thanking directors and staff for their ongoing work and commitment through uncertain times.

Board Members play a key role in helping the LLEP to shape the local economy by influencing local and national government, as well as providing effective governance to the partnership. 

They shape and deliver the Midlands Engine Strategy and the Government’s Levelling up agenda, acting as ambassadors for Leicester and Leicestershire at a local, regional and national level and making key local investment decisions.

• Read the LLEP’s Annual Report 2021/22 at https://bit.ly/LLEPAnnualReport