Dr Sally Ann Forsyth to join Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Board
Dr Sally Ann Forsyth is to join the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Board as business representative following a rigorous selection process.
Dr Forsyth, who took up her post as CEO of Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst in March, will be officially co-opted onto the Board on Thursday 21st June.Mark Bretton, Chair, Hertfordshire LEP said: “I’m delighted to announce that Dr Sally Ann Forsyth has accepted our offer to join the LEP Board. I’m grateful to the Executive Team for running an exhaustive process and we were blessed with a number of excellent candidates. We hope to be able to involve some in our sub committees. Sally Ann’s wealth of business acumen and depth of knowledge of the life sciences sector will bring valuable insight to the LEP Board.”
Dr Forsyth has a proven track record in establishing and developing leading edge science parks. Essential to their success is the ability to build coalitions between academic, commercial and government organisations. As part of this work she has achieved substantial public and private sector financing to support innovation and development. Having the combination of scientific background, corporate and SME experience, underpinned by financial expertise, has given an insight into the drivers for different organisations and how to help them deliver their goals.
Prior to taking up her role as CEO at Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, Dr Forsyth was CEO for Norwich Research Park and the first Director of both Harwell Oxford and Colworth Science Park where she was responsible for leading their development as national science parks. Sally Ann began her career as a management trainee with Unilever holding a range of roles across venture capital, technology licensing and alliance management. She has a doctorate in molecular biology from Cambridge University and is a qualified chartered global management accountant.
Dr Forsyth said: “I am honoured to help shape the strategic economic priorities for the county, particularly as we prepare for both Brexit and the development of a Local Industrial Strategy. I look forward to working closely with my fellow LEP Board Members to help take the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan forward and ensure that our investments make a real impact locally.”
LEP Board Members are elected to serve following an open and transparent selection process for a three-year period. This can be extended to a maximum of six years in order to refresh the membership of the Board on a regular basis. The Board is set at a maximum of 15 members, eight drawn from the private sector, to enable a strong team ethic, fully inclusive debate and a capacity for rapid decisions.
Mark Bretton, Chair of Hertfordshire LEP, said: “Fixed terms of office means that the LEP can remain agile and responsive to the county’s challenges and opportunities.Over the past few months we have completely refreshed our Board. Dr Forsyth’s appointment marks the end of this process and the start of a new and exciting phase for the LEP.”
Ends
NOTE TO EDITORS
About Hertfordshire LEP:
Local Enterprise Partnerships were established to help lead economic regeneration in English regions. Hertfordshire LEP is one of 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships tasked by the Government to drive forward economic recovery. Thanks to its targeted and achievable Strategic Economic Plan, Hertfordshire LEP has, to date,successfully secured over £320m Government and EU funding to deliver thousands of new homes, jobs, support businesses and improve skills provision.
Local Enterprise Partnerships were established to help lead economic regeneration in English regions. Hertfordshire LEP is one of 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships tasked by the Government to drive forward economic recovery. Thanks to its targeted and achievable Strategic Economic Plan, Hertfordshire LEP has, to date,successfully secured over £320m Government and EU funding to deliver thousands of new homes, jobs, support businesses and improve skills provision.
About Hertfordshire LEP Board:
Boards comprise representatives from both private and public sectors but should be business-led with a Chair from the private sector. The Chair is recruited by open competition and is selected by a panel comprising senior members of the Board. The Deputy Chair is drawn from the private sector representatives on the board and supports the Chair in their role.There are 15 elected LEP Board members: the Chair, five business representatives,two SME reps, two reps from the fields of higher and further education, one not-for profit rep and four local authority reps. Business reps are selected following a process of open competition; members from the SME community should be nominated by the Hertfordshire Business Forum.
Boards comprise representatives from both private and public sectors but should be business-led with a Chair from the private sector. The Chair is recruited by open competition and is selected by a panel comprising senior members of the Board. The Deputy Chair is drawn from the private sector representatives on the board and supports the Chair in their role.There are 15 elected LEP Board members: the Chair, five business representatives,two SME reps, two reps from the fields of higher and further education, one not-for profit rep and four local authority reps. Business reps are selected following a process of open competition; members from the SME community should be nominated by the Hertfordshire Business Forum.
Meet the LEP Board:
Hertfordshire LEP has a clear governance structure and its investment decisions,project development and recruitment policies are transparent and accountable. View our Governance arrangements.
Hertfordshire LEP has a clear governance structure and its investment decisions,project development and recruitment policies are transparent and accountable. View our Governance arrangements.
Media Enquiries: Lucy Gravatt, Head of Communications
T: 01707 358662 M: 07747 762698
T: 01707 358662 M: 07747 762698
