13/12/10….Thame Company Chair become business ‘Champion’

THE Chairman of Thame-based company, CPM, has been selected as an important member of the new Local Enterprise Partnership which is now up and running.

Tony Stratton has joined The Oxfordshire City-Region Enterprise Partnership (Oxon-LEP)as one of 11 Executive Board Champions. Oxfordshire was one of 24 successful bidders recently approved by the Government to establish Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to promote business growth in UK regions.

Tony, who also heads up Oxford Inspires, told ThameNews.Net: “My aspirations are to see the LEP attract money into the County for the greater good of all and to generally promote Oxfordshire as a great place in which to live, work and learn.”

The Oxfordshire bid centered on its concentration of high-tech businesses and research facilities as well as its academic strength. The initial priorities for the Oxon-LEP were identified to be Business Support, Skills Deficiencies, Inward Investment and Enabling Infrastucture.

Leading the partnership will be Dr Martin Dare-Edwards, UK Country Manager for southern-Oxfordshire based company Infineum, who has officially be confirmed as chairman of the Oxon-LEP, along with two vice-chairmen, Adrian Shooter CBE of Chiltern Railways and Oxfordshire County Council’s deputy leader, David Robertson. A further vice-chairman will be nominated, representing the University of Oxford.

As well as the 11 ‘Champions,’ there will initially be eight ‘Ambassadors’ to make up a wider Oxon-LEP Forum.

Dr Dare-Edwards said: “We have made clear our desire for Oxfordshire to be at the heart of the UK’s future economy, leading the way in science, research and development. We now feel like we’re up and running and in a position to get to work on making that vision a reality.

“In the short-term, this is likely to involve making a small number of targeted bids for Government funding enabling us to take forward specific projects. These will be focused on developing markets and creating high value private-sector jobs in those sectors with greatest economic potential.

“We want to engage with Government in a new way of working in which local needs are taken into account nationally.”

He added: “The role of the board members will be to act as ‘Champions’ for the Oxfordshire region, committing their time, passion, energy and business skills to help the partnership deliver on the top priorities for our region.

“The Ambassadors’ role will be to articulate what Oxfordshire has to offer to a variety of key stakeholders, exerting their influence on the resource providers and decision-takers.”

FOR more information about the Oxon-LEP and the other members, visit: LINK