New Sheffield City Region LEP vice chair gives backing to devolution deal

The Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership has announced that Nigel Brewster will be the board's vice chair.
Nigel BrewsterNigel Brewster
Nigel Brewster

He starts the role immediately and will be working closely with Sir Nigel Knowles who started as LEP chair in January 2016.

Mr Brewster said he believes the proposed devolution deal will be crucially important to future economic growth and jobs in the city region.

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He said: “I am delighted to accept this position. The LEP has gone from strength-to-strength over the past few years and has firmly established itself as central to the UK’s Northern Powerhouse ambitions. The LEP’s agenda and profile has grown significantly because of the support from local businesses who recognise the importance and huge potential of our agenda.”

He added: “Local leaders have worked very hard to negotiate an incredible £900m of additional funding from Government which will be crucial to plans to improve the economy and create more and better jobs.”

Sir Nigel Knowles added: “Nigel has a wealth of experience in working with partners in the Sheffield City Region and has played a hugely influential role in gaining powers and control over skills training in the area. This new role takes his involvement to another level and this is one of my first and most important decisions.”

Councillor Sir Steve Houghton CBE, chair of the Combined Authority, said: “He is an excellent appointment as LEP vice chairman.”