New board members appointed to D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership

14th March 2019

Five new board members have been announced for the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, significantly boosting its representation from the business community.

D2N2 is the private sector-led Local Enterprise Partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary organisations; promoting economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

The LEP’s board of experienced people, from a range of sectors, use their knowledge to give strategic advice on boosting the D2N2 LEP area’s economy; deciding how and where it should invest over £500million in resources (via UK Government and European Union funding) to promote business growth, capital projects, better infrastructure, jobs growth, social and community projects, and other services.

The five new board members are: 

• Karen Smart, Managing Director of East Midlands Airport (EMA) – Karen was appointed EMA’s Managing Director in April 2018. As the region’s international gateway the Airport serves just under five million passengers a year; connecting them to over 80 destinations in Europe, and further afield to Florida and Cancun. As the UK’s most important airport for dedicated cargo aircraft, it plays a nationally important role in the UK’s ability to trade globally. Prior to joining EMA Karen was Director of Landside Operations at London Stansted Airport, worked for service company Serco and was a Royal Air Force officer.

• Viv Russell, Group Managing Director for the Longcliffe Group – Viv was appointed Group MD to the Matlock-based company in March 2018. Longcliffe, established in 1927, employs over 170 people and is the UK’s leading independent supplier of pure limestone powder, granules and aggregates. Viv’s previous experience includes working for Tarmac Cement and Lime business based in Buxton, as its Lime & Powders Director, and he was responsible for its £90million per annum turnover operations. He is Institute of Quarrying Deputy Vice-Chair, Chair of the Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee (QNJAC) and board member of the Eastwood-based Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC).

• Emma Rigler, Logistics and Manufacturing Excellence Leader, Laing O’Rourke –  Emma’s expertise is in helping businesses improve how they work, particularly around seeking growth by maximising supply chain partnerships. She works for Laing O'Rourke, supporting its drive towards leading innovation and excellence in the construction industry. Much of that ambition is realised through the company’s Explore Industrial Park (EIP) in Steetley, Nottinghamshire; Europe’s most automated concrete products facility and employer of 400 people. Emma’s past experience includes promoting ‘business transformation’ in the manufacturing and financial services sectors. Previous employers include multi-national insurance company The RSA group, where she was Operational Excellence Manager and Business Transformation Programme Manager.

• Jayne Mayled, Managing Director of  True Story, Nottingham – Jayne is the owner of retail and brand creative agency True Story; where her team of 90 help businesses and brands grow, through designing customer experiences and communication. Jayne spent her early career in marketing and PR in the premium beauty sector before joining Boots plc; where she worked across a wide range of roles and business areas before becoming Communications Director, leading all group internal and external communications. Jayne is also the founder of specialist hair care brand, White Hot, sold globally in stores and online.

• Graham Cartledge CBE, Chairman of Handley House – Handley House is the parent company overseeing three leading international design teams; Benoy, Holmes Wood and Uncommon Land. Graham joined Benoy in 1974 and became its Chair in 1992. Handley House has more than 500 people globally, working on diverse and complex projects to strengthen communities and deliver lasting economic value. A passionate supporter of British design and champion of international trade, Graham has worked with UK and international Prime Ministers, Cabinet Ministers and numerous dignitaries in furthering the work of British business overseas. Graham maintains his global network via multiple roles including Honorary Member of The 48 Group Club, Vice-Chairman of the China-Britain Business Council, Board Advisor for the UK India Business Council and Board Member at Infrastructure Exports UK. In 2014/15 Graham held the position of High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and is currently a Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire County Council. In 2007, Graham and his family established The Domlal Foundation; a grant-making charitable trust which has supported tangible, lasting projects in building sustainability, community and education, from Nottinghamshire to India and Vietnam.

The board members were recruited to join the D2N2 LEP board following an advertisement seeking applications from the private sector, in November (2018), followed by an interview process.

The new board members will begin their roles effective immediately; apart from Jayne Mayled, who will become a board member from this summer (2019).

Elizabeth Fagan, Chair of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am delighted to welcome such an array of new talent to be D2N2 LEP board members.

“We were clear when we asked for board applications that we wanted people who’d bring fresh thinking and new ideas, and who would best reflect the business sectors and communities in our LEP area. I’m confident our new members will be a great asset, in dealing with the area’s economic challenges and opportunities in the future.”

A list of all D2N2 LEP board members is at website link www.d2n2lep.org/about/board

Media wanting further information about the D2N2 LEP can contact D2N2 Communications Manager Sean Kirby on 0115 957 8749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org 

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