Meeting the new Lancashire business board

By Ged Henderson

01 Oct 2024

Lancashire Business Board

As efforts continued to get Lancashire’s devolution deal over the line, the county’s new Business Board was unveiled.

The independent 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.

It was heralded by political leaders from the three Lancashire councils behind the drive to get deputy prime minister Angela Rayner to sign
off on the current devolution proposals.

In a statement they said the board would work closely with the councils, adding: “Board members will help the councils build on existing work to deliver long term economic growth in the county by using their expert knowledge of the area.”

One of the first actions decided by members at their first meeting was to write to the deputy PM declaring their support for the deal, which
would see the creation of a combined authority for the county.

Lancashire County Council leader Phillippa Williamson 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.”

Speaking after the first meeting, board member Steve Williams, managing director of Blackpool based Force Technology, said he believed it had an important advisory role to play in helping shape the county’s economic strategy.

He added that three was a recognition amongst members that it had to be more than a “talking shop”

Here is the team: 

Professor Graham Baldwin,
Vice-chancellor, University of Central Lancashire
Prof Baldwin has held a number of senior roles at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) since joining in 2001. He holds wide-ranging influence in both Lancashire and the skills sector.

Miranda Barker,
Chief executive, East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
Miranda’s career in business support was preceded by a successful turn as an entrepreneur. She was named chief executive of the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce in 2017.

John Chesworth,
Executive chairman, Harrison Drury
John joined Harrison Drury in 2007 and was named managing partner the same year. He is also chair of Preston Partnership, a membership
organisation aimed at driving forward the city’s growth and potential.

Jane Cole,
Managing director, Blackpool Transport Service
Following a near two-decade career with Virgin Trains, Jane was appointed as the managing director of Blackpool Transport Service. The company employs more than 600 people.

Tim Conlon, 
Chief executive, Terberg Environmental
Tim is chief executive of refuse vehicle and heavy truck specialist Terberg Environmental, a €700m global enterprise employing more than 2,000 people across 13 countries. He has played a pivotal
role in driving the company’s growth.

Dave Holmes,
Managing director, BAE Systems FalconWorks
Dave has over 40 years’ experience in aerospace engineering, playing a pivotal role in advancing UK manufacturing and military aviation technology. Today he leads BAE Systems’ new centre for advanced and agile research and technology development.

Jeremy Hartley
Managing director,
Eric Wright Group Jeremy initially qualified as a chartered accountant, holding senior roles at PwC, before moving into the construction sector
with Eric Wright in 2007. He was named group managing director in 2011. The group employs more than 800 people.

Zuber Issa
Co-founder, EG Group
With his brother Mohsin, Zuber was the co-founder of the Blackburn-based EG Group, a multinational convenience retail and food and drink outlet operation. Earlier this year, he stepped down as co-CEO, while acquiring its petrol forecourt portfolio. He also divested his 22.5 per cent share in supermarket chain Asda.

Mo Isap
Founder, IN4 Group
Mo, from Blackburn, is the founder of the IN4 Group, a technology company designed to give every individual access to high quality skills training. In 2023, IN4 delivered more than £14m of social value.

Elizabeth Moss
Chief executive, Blackpool Heritage and Museum Trust
Over more than two decades, Liz has held senior roles in the tourism sector. She is currently chief executive of the charity which operates Showtown, a new museum in Blackpool celebrating its history of showbusiness, illuminations and entertainers

Babs Murphy 
Chief executive, North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
Babs has served as the chief executive of the Preston-headquartered chamber for more than 30 years. The organisation currently represents
more than 1,600 businesses in the county and hosts the annual BIBAs business awards.

Mark Rawstron
Prior to his retirement in 2016, Mark had been the head of commercial property agent GVA’s Manchester office and was its main UK board director. He has more than 30 years of experience as a commercial property advisor.

Kate Shane
Former regional Director, Merlin Entertainments Group
After 13 years with Merlin Entertainments, it was reported in August that Kate, one of the most influential figures in its tourism sector,
was joining Blackpool Council as managing director of its leisure portfolio. She also chairs the Blackpool Tourism BID.

Steve Williams
Managing director, Force Technology
Steve is the co-founder of Force Technology, the Blackpool based company he launched with his business partner in 2015 to specialise
in precision compression springs, principally for high risk and critical quality applications.

Rachel Westray
Site communications partner, Westinghouse Electric Company
Rachel has worked in public relations, public affairs, events and internal communications for more than a decade. She currently represents
Westinghouse, which operates the Springfields nuclear fuel production facility at Salwick.

Tim Webber
Chairman, Barnfield

Tim is chairman and managing director of Barnfield Construction, the Pendle-based contractor, developer and property investor. The company employs more than 250 people, operates on more than 30 sites nationwide and has a turnover of £70m.

Lauren Zawadski
Director, Deco Publique
Lauren is a public events specialist and co-director of Deco Publique, based in Morecambe. She helped produce the most recent Preston Guild festivities and is founder and director of the award-winning National Festival of Making in Blackburn.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Ged Henderson

Latest news

1

Rise of the multi-skilled workforce as employers ‘reimagine’ jobs to fill skills gaps A VR headset helps construction learners explore CAD plans

Rise of the multi-skilled workforce as employers ‘reimagine’ jobs to fill skills gaps

09 Jul 2025

2

Walker Fire accelerates growth with two strategic acquisitions and launch of new digital platform Walker Fire

Walker Fire accelerates growth with two strategic acquisitions and launch of new digital platform

08 Jul 2025

3

10th year of growth for Begbies Traynor Ric Traynor of Begbies Traynor

10th year of growth for Begbies Traynor

08 Jul 2025

4

Iconic Lancaster Inn gets £600K makeover New bar at Toll House Inn at Lancaster

Iconic Lancaster Inn gets £600K makeover

08 Jul 2025

5

FWP completes life-changing youth support project Boat House Youth Centre

FWP completes life-changing youth support project

08 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin