Senior business figure appointments increase the expertise of the Coast to Capital Board

Four new business representatives have joined the Board including:

 

• Jamie Arnell a private equity investor with 20 years of board experience in a wide range of companies and sectors.
• Claire Mason an entrepreneur with 20 years' strategy and marketing experience who has developed global research and economic forecasts on subjects from the future of work and global trade, to the levers of growth for small business.
• Amanda Jones an experienced senior director and board member within the arts and heritage sectors who brings accountancy expertise, strong negotiation skills and profile raising at national level.
• Richard Hopkins who is an expert in the local rural economy and will help guide the Board to drive sustainable growth for the future.

 

Frances Rutter has also joined the Board as Further Education Director. Frances is the CEO and Principal of North East Surrey College of Technology and a qualified Solicitor with a strong background in local government. In addition, two new District Council Directors have joined the Board. Councillor Mark Brunt, leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough council and Councillor Daniel Humphreys, leader of Worthing council.

 

The newly appointed board members were confirmed last week at the Coast to Capital Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 11 September at the Epsom Downs Racecourse. The full details can be found at coast2capital.org.uk/AGM

Tim Wates, Coast to Capital Chairman said:

"Our Board boasts influential individuals from the public, private and education sector that have both specialist knowledge and passion for the Coast to Capital area. We are committed to promoting diversity and these appointments will bring further skills and experience on to the Board and strengthen and support our business-led approach working as a public-private partnership."

 

Amanda Jones, Coast to Capital Board Director said:

"I am delighted to have been appointed to the Board of Coast to Capital LEP, one of the most successful and well respected LEPs in the country. I look forward to championing the role of arts and culture in driving economic growth and hope that my financial and capital project experience in particular will be an asset to the team."

 

Richard Hopkins, Coast to Capital Board Director said:

"I'm delighted that horticulture, viticulture and rural businesses are recognised as one of the engines which drives our beautiful Coast to Capital region. Just like other industries, they're characterised by their dynamism and innovation, so I'm hugely optimistic for their future in a changing climate and constantly evolving economy. It's a great privilege to join the Coast to Capital board and to be able to contribute to the region's future."

 

Claire Mason, Coast to Capital Board Director said:

"Business has a critical role to play in delivering inclusive and sustainable growth for our community. I'm looking forward to working with the Board and our wider stakeholders to help shape an ambitious strategy for our future economy that will realise our potential to be the best place in the UK to live, grow and succeed.

"Man Bites Dog is a global business that was born in Brighton and it's an honour to join the Board and support the team in creating an environment to foster growth, productivity and innovation from coast to capital."

 

Jamie Arnell, Coast to Capital Board Director said:

"I look forward to bringing some of the approaches we apply in private equity to decisions about funding projects in our region"

Councillor Daniel Humphreys, Coast to Capital Board Director said:

"I am delighted to be joining the Board of the Coast to Capital LEP at this important time for the economy in the region. In recent years we have built a solid relationship between Worthing Borough Council and the LEP which has enabled substantial investments in Worthing. The relationship between LEP and District and Borough Councils is critical to ensuring that we achieve significant sustainable economic growth. I'm looking forward to helping the LEP develop that relationship".