26 July 2010
NORTHWEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
TO CONTINUE BOARD SERVE
Mark Prisk, Minister for Business, today announced continued
terms of appointment to the Board of NWDA.
Cllr Anthony McDermott MBE, Cllr Susan Williams, Prof. John
Brooks, Peter Allen MBE, Joe Dwek CBE and Cllr John Merry CBE will
serve from the 14 December 2010 until the RDA closes. The Minister
also announced continued terms from July 2011 until NWDA’s closure
to Peter Hensman.
Mark Prisk said:
“As we move toward a new framework for our regional economies,
it is important that the development agencies are equipped with the
leadership to ensure the transition period is a smooth one.
“The skills and experience of these board members will be a
valuable asset during this time and I hope they will continue to
work with us to ensure an efficient evolutionary process.”
Robert Hough, NWDA Chairman, said:
“The extensive knowledge and experience of the NWDA Board has
been invaluable throughout the economic downturn, so I’m very
pleased to welcome these reappointments.
“Our Board members’ understanding of the Northwest economy will
be hugely beneficial in continuing to support economic recovery and
help to assist Government’s objectives for the future of economic
development.”
Notes to Editors
1. Regional Development Agency non-executive Board member posts
attract a remuneration of GBP8,666 per year for a minimum time
commitment of two days per month.
2. The continued terms for Cllr Anthony McDermott, Cllr Susan
Williams, Prof. John Brooks, Peter Allen, Joe Dwek, Cllr John Merry
and Peter Hensman are up until the RDA closes. Final closure of
RDAs is likely to be completed by 31 March 2012 following
legislation.
3. RDAs are business-led organisations, promoting and
co-ordinating economic growth and development, enterprise and
regeneration.
4. The Coalition Government has made the decision to support the
creation of local enterprise partnerships to replace RDAs. On that
basis the decision was made not to continue with further Board
member recruitment. The continued terms of Board members are
necessary to ensure that the RDA Chairs are able effectively to
manage their Board membership up until closure, and that membership
does not fall below the minimum requirement of eight, as stated in
the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998.
5. The original appointments were made following open
competition in accordance with the requirement set down in the
Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. All
appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part
in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original
Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees?
political activity (if any declared) to be made public.
6. Prof John Brooks and Peter Allen have not declared any
political activity in the past five years. Anthony McDermott is a
Labour Councillor for Halton Borough Council, Susan Williams is a
Conservative Councillor and stood as a Parliamentary candidate in
2010 for Bolton West. John Merry is a Labour Councillor and Leader
of Salford’s ruling Group. Joe Dwek has made a recordable donation
to a political party and has undertaken activity for both the
Labour and Conservative party. Peter Hensman is involved in the
Conservative party and is Treasurer for his local Branch.
7. Peter Allen is a Board member of Natural England which
attracts a remuneration of GBP10-15k for a time commitment of 4
days a month. John Merry is on the Board of the Young Peoples
Learning Agency which attracts a remuneration of GBP4k. Prof John
Brooks, Susan Williams, Cllr Anthony McDermott, Joe Dwek and Peter
Hensman do not hold any further non-executive ministerial public
appointments.
Biographies:
Anthony McDermott is a graduate of Manchester University
Economics Faculty. He taught in school and colleges in Lancashire
and Liverpool for 34 years. He was a member of Halton Borough
Council since its start in 1974 and former Leader of the Council
1999 - 2010, following unitary reorganisation. He is currently a
member of the Local Government Improvement Board, Urban Commission,
and the Northern Way Transport Compact. Former Member of the NW
Region Leaders Forum, Liverpool City Region Cabinet and Chair of
the North West Regional Assembly. He was awarded MBE in 2007 for
services to local government in Cheshire. A supporter of Asbestos
Victims Support, and former member of NHS Mental Health Trust.
Susan Williams was a nutritionist for the charity Action and
Research into Multiple Sclerosis until 2001. Was Leader of Trafford
Council from
2004 to 2009 and was part of the leadership of the sub region of
Greater Manchester through the Association of Greater Manchester
Authorities (AGMA). A member of AGMA’s Commission for the new
Economy Board and Salford URC.
John Brooks is the Vice Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan
University. In his previous job at the University of Wolverhampton
he chaired a regeneration project after the closure of Rover, which
involved infrastructure development and small business support. He
chairs the Board of the Equality Challenge Unit, and is on the
Boards of the Corridor Manchester (formally the Oxford Road
Corridor Partnership) and the Universities & Colleges Employers
Association.
Peter Allen is a Cumbrian hill farmer based near Penrith. As
former Chair of the Sheepmeat and Goatmeat Advisory Committee to
the EU, he has been involved in reforming and implementing the
European sheep regime.
For many years was actively involved with the National Farmers?
Union (NFU), representing farming and rural issues locally,
regionally and nationally. Currently Chair of the NFU, Mutual
Northern Area board, Chair of RUMA - (UK body promoting the
Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture) and a board member of
Natural England. Member of National Office of Animal Health Code of
Practice Committee
Peter Hensman is a chartered accountant and engineer who spent
most of his career in the general and financial management of
manufacturing companies. Executive Director of a group of companies
involved in tourism, leisure and property in Cumbria. Chairman of
Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency and the Kendal Futures Board, Vice
Chairman of Furness Building Society and a Non-Executive Director
of Northwest Business Link. Also a Trustee of Cumbria Community
Foundation.
Joe Dwek was the Executive Chairman and Chief Executive of
Bodycote International plc from 1972 until his retirement in 1998.
Formerly Chairman of the North West CBI, Mersey Basin Campaign,
Envirolink, ENWORKS, and the Healthy Waterways Trust. A former
member of the Board of BIS’s (Department for Business, Innovation
& Skills) Environmental Innovation Advisory Group. Currently a
member of the Assembly of Manchester University and Governor of
Manchester High School for Girls. Director of Penmarric plc, Opal
Property Group Ltd and Mercury Recycling Ltd. Also Co-Chairman
Newlands. In 2008 was awarded the prestigious Environment
Leadership award at the annual Business in the Environment
Conference.
John Merry has been Leader of Salford City Council since May
2003.
Lead Member on the Local Government Association Children and Young
People Board and more recently the Young People Learning Agency. He
is also a Board Member on the Greater Manchester’s Commission for
the New Economy. He has held various positions previously on
organisations and committees with an education and training
background. He has been a Councillor since 1990 with previous
career experience in retail and sales. As a result of services to
Local Government he was awarded the CBE in 2009.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Joanna Robotham
Phone: 020 7215 5950
Joanna.Robotham@bis.gsi.gov.uk