Higher education champion sought to help drive Marches enterprise

Are you passionate about helping your local community and businesses, and do you have proven business acumen?

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership is inviting applications for a new non-executive director to take on the role of higher education champion across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford & Wrekin.

The successful volunteer will contribute to driving inclusive economic growth in the Marches area.

We are looking for someone who has at least five years’ experience at a senior level in higher education with good knowledge of undergraduate, post graduate and degree-level apprenticeships and who understands the importance of business engagement and knowledge exchange.

The new board member should also be able to help develop research capabilities to boost local economic growth, and they should be comfortable acting as an ambassador for the LEP at business and community events.

We have established a first-class public/private partnership that approaches business growth and local regeneration in a positive and commercial manner. We are looking for a board member who will contribute to this and have fresh ideas to help us navigate our changing role in local economic growth, in line with the levelling up agenda and political devolution.

We need inspirational leaders with strong business acumen and political astuteness who also know higher education inside out.

The LEP board meets six times a year, usually in Ludlow. Roles are voluntary, but reasonable travel expenses will be paid where required.

The Marches LEP encourages diversity to maximise its achievements, good practice, innovation and impact and is actively seeking expressions of interest from women, who are currently under represented on the LEP Board. Appointment will be on merit alone.

The personal skills needed for this role include high emotional intelligence, good communication and thinking skills, a deep understanding of the importance of impartiality, a connection with the Marches area and time to devote to the partnership’s activities.

There are some exceptional leaders in the Marches area and we hope many of them will consider putting themselves forward for this role.

If you are interested in applying for this position, email rachel.laver@marcheslep.org.uk with your most recent CV and a 250-word summary of actions you consider appropriate to develop the Marches economy and the role that higher education plays within these.

The closing date for applications is noon on Monday March 20. The successful candidate would be expected to take up the post in April for a period of three years. The LEP’s strategic economic plan, board terms of reference and other key documents can be found at www.marcheslep.org.uk.

Full recruitment pack available here: https://www.marcheslep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Application-pack-to-recruit-HE-Champion-March-2023.pdf