New Chair of the LEP, Alun Rogers (left) and Cllr. Abi Brown (right)
Local business leader, Alun Rogers, who has been the Interim Chair of the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LEP since June 2019, has been announced as the new permanent Chair of the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
The Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LEP (Local Enterprise Partnership) has announced Alun Rogers as the new leader of its board.
Local businessman, Alun Rogers has been a LEP board member for the past two-and-a-half years, and has led on the development of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire's new Local Industrial Strategy, working closely with the area’s business community.
Prior to working at the LEP, Alun co-founded the Stafford-based IT firm, Risual in 2005, building on his previous experience as an IT consultant. The company has since go on to win numerous awards and become a Microsoft Strategic Partner (for public and private sector clients).
Alun will now lead the LEP, as Chair of the Board, as it looks to deliver the new economic growth strategy across Staffordshire, continuing to lobby Government to ensure that the area’s business voice is heard at a national level.
The LEP board consists of 17 other members - from a combination of the commercial, educational and public sectors - who collectively decide on the LEP’s economic vision for Staffordshire in a changing United Kingdom. The Local Industrial Strategy itself, which sets a framework for productivity growth across Stoke and Staffordshire over the next 10 years, is currently out for consultation.
Commenting on his appointment, Alun said:
“I stepped up my involvement in the LEP last year, taking on the role as acting chair. I learnt a great deal during the summer while leading a comprehensive review of the organisation and its work.
We have restructured the board and secretariat, increasing our direct engagement with our business base and civic leaders, and are working together on our challenges, opportunities and priorities for economic growth. I now feel ready to take on the role of LEP chairman and I am both honoured and excited to be working for the benefit of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire's business community.
We are taking forward a bold, new strategy for our area. The Local Industrial Strategy is enabling us to deliver transformative work programmes to grow the economy of our city, towns and rural areas and to measurably improve opportunities for our residents and businesses. As a new and revitalised board, we are just getting started.”
Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, added:
“Alun’s appointment is great news for both Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and we know he will ensure our great county can fulfil its potential. He has served on the Local Enterprise Partnership board for some time now, most recently as Acting Chair, so is familiar with the role.
His entrepreneurial business background will bring business, the public sector and education providers together to create the right conditions for economic growth and job creation across the whole of Staffordshire. And he will ensure Staffordshire remains an influential partner in the workings of the Midlands Engine and Midlands Connect.”
Cllr. Abi Brown, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:
“I know Alun has a strong passion for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and shares our vision for making the area a great place to live, work, shop and visit. His strong background in the digital sector and hands on experience with business will be incredibly beneficial as we work together to attract investment, grow our economy and bring jobs to the county. I’d also like to thank outgoing chairman David Frost for his contribution over the past five years.”
Previous Chair, David Frost retired from the role in September, having served for five years.