Business board launches to support county's economic growth

Leaders from the county's foremost regional, national and international firms have formed an independent board which will support the public sector in delivering long-term economic growth in the county.

The Lancashire Business Board will work closely with Lancashire County, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool councils, whose leaders have welcomed the development.

Board members will help the councils build on existing work to deliver growth by using their expert knowledge of the area.

The 17 founding members are:

• Graham Baldwin, University of Central Lancashire
• Miranda Barker, East Lancashire Chamber
• John Chesworth, Harrison Drury
• Jane Cole, Blackpool Transport Service & NW Lancashire Chamber
• Tim Conlon, Terberg Environmental
• Dave Holmes, BAE Systems
• Jeremy Hartley, Eric Wright Group
• Zuber Issa, EG Group
• Mo Isap, IN4.0
• Liz Moss, Show Town
• Babs Murphy, North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
• Mark Rawstron, Investment Director
• Kate Shane, Merlin
• Steve Williams, Force Technology
• Rachel Westray, Westinghouse
• Tim Webber, Barnfield
• Lauren Zawadski, Deco Publique

The board is one of a number being set up across the country following government guidance on the need to include private sector and employer views in local economic strategies.

One of the first actions decided by members at their meeting was to write to the deputy prime minister Angela Rayner MP to demonstrate the board's support for devolution in Lancashire and the level 2 deal which is currently awaiting final parliamentary sign off.

During the meeting the board also voiced their support for Convention of the North 2025, which will be hosted by Lancashire County Council and held at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston on February 27 and 28.

Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "A vibrant business community which helps inform local authorities and government is absolutely vital in ensuring our county's economy continues to grow and flourish.

"Members of the board will be able to draw on their own experiences to inform, stimulate and scrutinise the delivery of local policies intended to grow the economy.

"I know they will make a very important contribution and I very much look forward to working with the board."

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader, Coun Phil Riley, said: "Lancashire has been under achieving from a growth and skills perspective and we want to use the Level 2 Devolution deal to start to make up the ground on our neighbours with their Combined Authorities. The Business Board made up of significant Lancashire-based business leaders will help enormously with that mission."

Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council said: "It was great to be part of the first pan-Lancashire Business Board meeting this week. The Business Board's support for a devolution deal for Lancashire was very evident, particularly in the quick and decisive action that was taken to write to the deputy prime minister Angela Rayner MP expressing their support for such a deal.

"The expertise across the board is exactly what Lancashire and Blackpool need to help to grow our economy. We very much look forward to working with the board further."