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24
Nov
Mayor's new North Yorkshire business board meets for first time
A business board designed to unlock North Yorkshire’s economic potential met for the first time this week.
Chaired by Jennifer Wood, co-founder of Ripon-based company O&3 Limited, the business board met in person at York Biotech Campus yesterday (November 22).
Topics in the meeting ranged from reviewing the scope and scale of the combined authority’s business services, the recent work on the development of strategic growth priorities and the business innovation fund.
Mayor David Skaith set up the business board with the aim of helping to shape economic growth in the region. It will also advise York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority on business strategy and policy.
Mr Skaith said:
It was fantastic to have our new business board around the table for the first time and to share the five draft strategic growth priorities that have been presented to government.
Creating a link between the public and private sector to scrutinise and help the local growth plan is crucial. To have the input from leading figures who represent our region’s growth and core sectors is invaluable.
These members represent our region’s business community and today is a reminder of the innovation and talent that we possess across York and North Yorkshire.
The business board will ensure that we are engaging businesses as we develop our localised plans, particularly with our core sectors such as visitor economy and hospitality, and high streets.
I see this as a blank canvas to build on, and having the business board’s input from the start will help to develop our plans which will propel our region.
Thirteen industry leaders sit on the board, including Rebecca Layton, owner of Layton Hill Hotels which owns the Old Deanery in Ripon, and Andy Makin, managing director of Harrogate-based EnviroVent Limited.
Jennifer Wood, chair of the board, said the diversity of skills on the board was exciting and an opportunity to help growth in the region.
She said:
What an amazing opportunity to bring together so many fascinating business leaders around the table.
The diversity of skills that we have in this region and the scope for developing some fantastic visions is super exciting.
I am thrilled with how our conversations have evolved. We have got lots to do, but there are some really tangible opportunities that can be delivered in line with the vision of our Mayor.
I want the mayor to understand the reality of the position that other business leaders and I are facing. To achieve this, we must first listen to businesses. That is a fundamental starting block for all of us.
Look out for an interview with Jennifer Wood, chair of the business board, on the Stray Ferret tomorrow.
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