Chris Pomfret has been named as the first chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Pomfret, who lives near Port Isaac, has a wealth of experience of working in business and industry, including senior executive roles at Unilever and a current position on the board of the Food Standards Agency.
During his career he has worked in a number of marketing and wider management roles on a global, regional and national basis, including the business director responsible for the Birds Eye business in the UK with a retail value of over £700 million. He also tutors at Cambridge University on Sustainable development leadership.
“Chris Pomfret was appointed from a very strong short list. I am delighted that he has agreed to lead the LEP”
He said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to be the first chairman of the LEP in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and I hope that I will be able to bring my experience to bear to ensure that the LEP delivers the best possible outcomes for our local economy.
“I am now looking forward to being involved with the recruitment of the non executive directors, and getting the LEP up and running so that it can focus on delivering what is required; namely creating new jobs and a better environment for business growth.”
Although Pomfret has no direct business experience in Cornwall, he does not see this as a barrier. He said: “I know the region intimately and my aim is to strike the right balance between understanding the good work that has already taken place, taking a fresh approach when required and developing further best practice where it already exists.
“With the move to a unitary authority and the LEP initiative I think we have a unique moment in time to really focus on building, in partnership, the business sector that is so important for the future development of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and I believe strongly we have an opportunity to lead from the front.”
Martin Follett, the chairman of the recruitment panel and chairman of the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commented: “Chris Pomfret was appointed from a very strong short list. I am delighted that he has agreed to lead the LEP in shaping our economy over the coming months and years.”
“We are all aware of the impact of the recession on opportunities for public sector growth in the foreseeable future and it is vital that the private sector steps up to the mark to ensure that we work together to create the conditions for growth. This will require strong leadership and we feel that Chris Pomfret is the right person to deliver this.”
Phillip Hygate, the chief executive of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, has also welcomed the appointment. “I feel confident that Chris will bring the appropriate level of gravitas, vision and drive to this incredibly important role,” he said.
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