In March 2024, the Hull and East Riding Unitary Leaders’ Board (a joint committee for the two Councils of Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire) took the decision to establish a Business, Growth and Skills Hub, upon the cessation of the operation of the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
That hub took over from the LEP and is now seeking to recruit members to both its ‘Business’ and ‘Skills’ boards and is welcoming Expressions of Interest (EOI) for these roles.
Those recruited to the boards will contribute to the development of the economic framework for the region’s economy, assisting the Hull and East Riding Unitary Leaders Board with such decisions as may require to be made to drive productivity, connectivity and sustainability while promoting inclusivity.
It is envisaged that each board will comprise individuals who have ambition for the development of the area and can provide an effective business and community voice upon economic and skills matters.
Through these two boards, the hub will take forward the work formerly undertaken by the LEP, pending a decision being taken by the Secretary of State upon the establishment of a Combined Authority for the Area.
The Business Board will provide strategic business input to support economic growth, maximising the natural assets of the region’s geography, sector strengths and people skills.
The board will need to build upon the significant strengths of the major sectors in the region, the diversity of local communities and the important role of the VCSE sector, as well as its reach into business and local neighbourhoods and the unique role they can play in delivering transformational change.
The Skills Board will reflect the existing education and training provision in the region and maximise opportunities to shape provision to meet current and future employer’s needs.
It will ensure that local people benefit from high-quality post-16 education and training and that adults are supported to upskill, reskill and are best placed to find employment in good jobs, further their careers and to gain the confidence and ability to overcome any existing barriers to success.
Teresa Chalmers, chief operating officer for HEY Business, Growth and Skills Hub, said: “The Business and Skills boards will play a key part into helping to shape the region’s economy.
“These roles are for people from a diverse range of business, community and provider backgrounds and we look forward to welcoming Expressions of Interest and meeting potential candidates.”
