Ref: PR 2972
Date: 20/04/2011   

Wakefield’s business-led enterprise partnership, set up by Wakefield Council, is getting off the ground with the announcement of its board members.

Wakefield Enterprise Partnership has grown from the district’s local development agency - first - and the Wakefield Prosperity Board which focused on taking the district out of the recession.

The partnership is to be chaired by Mark Ridgway, managing director of Group Rhodes, a Wakefield-based manufacturing company, and will feed into the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, of which Mr Ridgeway is also a member.

The members of the Wakefield Enterprise Partnership are Stephen Oakes of Chadwick Lawrence, Hayleigh Parkhurst, of Cedar Court Hotels, Janice Haigh, of the Federation of Small Businesses, Ian Taylor of Media Displays, Michelle McArthur-Morgan of Jigsaw@work, Scott Roberts of Morrisions Supermarkets plc and Margaret Wood of ICW (UK) Ltd.

These private sector business partners - selected from 18 applicants who responded to an invitation from the Council - will be joined by Council representatives Cllr Peter Box CBE, Leader, and Joanne Roney OBE, Chief Executive.

A number of other organisations, including the voluntary and community sector, have now been invited to send representatives to complete the membership of the board.

Chair Mark Ridgway said: "The board must integrate all areas of private, public and voluntary sectors in the district, representing all interests to achieve quick wins as well as set out longer-term goals. We need to work in partnership to build a strong skills base and take this district forward."

Cllr Box said: “Having a business-led enterprise partnership will help build on the confidence already being shown in this district with the opening of The Hepworth Wakefield, Trinity Walk and continuing work at Merchant Gate. Fewer other places in the UK can have as much happening this year as we are seeing in Wakefield and this is a sound foundation on which to grow the local economy and bring in jobs and investment.”

Wakefield Enterprise Partnership will meet bi-monthly and draw up an economic growth plan which focuses on local economic development, business and enterprise, land development for economic regeneration, employability and worklessness and adult skills.

It seeks to make the district prosperous by being at the forefront of innovation and change to promote a thriving economy, playing a strong role in developing the wider city region’s economy by promoting the district’s interests and supporting progress of existing businesses and encouraging new ones.