Debbie Francis named as LEP chair

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has appointed Debbie Francis as its new chair after Steve Fogg stepped down earlier in the year.

Debbie is a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA).

Her career has included senior roles with Enterprise Managed Services and SAIC, and she has previously been cities executive for Arcadis UK, managing director of Direct Rail Services, and London North Western route finance and commercial director with Network Rail. 

Her current non-executive roles include Harwich Haven Authority, MDC Stockport, Loram UK, Penny Bridge CofE Academy and Pave The Way. 

In addition to a PhD in Leadership, which she is currently completing at Manchester Metropolitan University, she won the 2019 IoD North West Director of the Year for Inclusivity and earned an OBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours list.

Debbie said: "In the decade since it was established the LEP has secured more than £750m in capital funding to invest across the county, created or safeguarded over 27,000 jobs, helped build nearly 20,000 homes and supported over 4,600 small and medium sized businesses.

"I am determined that the LEP will build on this impressive legacy over the comings years, continuing to deliver the economic growth that Lancashire needs and deserves."

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