24 Jan 2011

Dr Geoffrey Davies has been appointed as the chairman of the Marches LEP. The managing director of agricultural manufacturer McConnel and vice-president of global vegetation maintenance company Alamo, he will now lead a board of private and public sector representatives.

The Marches LEP comprises private sector businesses and puclic authorites from Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford and Wrekin.

Davies was appointed alongside board memebers Ian Dosser, chief financial officer of Capgemini, representing the Telford Business Board, and Angela Smith, chairwoman of the Herefordshire Business Board.

A new representative from the Shropshire Business Board will be appointed to replace Davies following his appointment as independent chair.

The local authorities are represented by Councillor Keith Barrow, leader of Shropshire Council; Councillor Andrew Eade, leader of Telford and Wrekin Council, and Councillor Roger Phillips, leader of Herefordshire Council.

Davies, who was awarded an OBE for services to agriculture and rural areas in 2004, is also managing director of Alamo Group Europe, which turns over £800m annually and operates in 26 countries.

He said: “This partnership between businesses and local authorities is a great opportunity to put the Marches on the map, creating economic growth and supporting businesses. While, thanks to the diversity of our economy, the Marches has fared relatively well during the recent recession in comparison to many other areas of the country, we have a high degree of dependence on the public sector to provide employment in the area.

“I am passionate about creating employment, and have a record of investment in the training my staff in Marches, as well as supporting an innovate graduate scheme with Harper Adams University College.

“The MLEP needs the support of the private sector to achieve its aims and we are grateful to those businesses which have given us their time, ideas and views.

Davies said that the organisation was “championing bids” to the £1.4bn Regional Growth Fund, set up by the government to assist businesses and LEPs across the country.

Councillor Barrow said: “We were looking for a shrewd, strategic and innovative executive chairman with a highly developed business acumen and credibility. Dr Davies' own successes in the private sector and his experience working alongside the public sector shows we have the right person for the job.”