FIVE new members have been recruited to the business board of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership.

They have been chosen after a search for enthusiastic and knowledgeable business representatives with a commitment to Worcestershire and comprise: Stuart Allen, founder and managing director of #WorcestershireHour (Worcester Enterprise Ltd); Jennifer Appleton, operations director of ISO Quality Services Ltd; Robert Champion, partner at Halls; James Pritchard, managing director of Heartbeat Manufacturing Limited and James Speller, director of strategic development at Speller Metcalfe.

Roy Irish of Financial Partnership and Support, Jacqui Bayliss of Harris Lamb, Bob Brown of the Institute of Directors and Zad Padda of Vicarage Nurseries, have stepped down having served their term on the Business Board, and have been thanked for their dedication and significant contributions. The new members will now join the other 16 private sector representatives on the board who are from varying business sizes and sectors as well as the main business representative organisations.

These voluntary representatives act in an advisory capacity, informing and influencing the decisions of the WLEP Board to ensure the voices of local businesses are heard as well as being a conduit to facilitate wider engagement with leaders in the business, public and third sector communities.

Mark Martin, director and owner of One Creative Environments and chairman of the Business Board, said: β€œOn behalf of everyone at the Worcestershire LEP I would like to thank the members of the Business Board who have completed their term for their significant contributions and unwavering dedication. The Business Board has a two-way relationship with the WLEP Board and also works to address the big issues and solutions that would stimulate business growth and create jobs in the local economy. I look forward to welcoming our new members who I am sure will add a wealth of knowledge and support to the work of the board.”