THE chairman of a North Yorkshire enterprise partnership is stepping down.

David Kerfoot, chairman of the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) board, has been on the board since its inception in 2010 and has been chairman since 2018, serving as deputy chairman for six years prior to that.

He will step down next March 31 when his term comes to an end.

The partnership is seeking applications from business leaders to replace him.

He said: "It has been a great pleasure and honour to lead this dynamic partnership and although there have been challenges, none more so than with Covid-19, it has been a very rewarding role.

"As chair, you are able to make a real difference ‘on the ground’ and I look forward to seeing a new chair take up the legacy and lead the LEP’s vision to build a greener, fairer and stronger economy for the region as we emerge from the pandemic.

"The LEP is looking for a successful business leader who has a knowledge and passion for York and North Yorkshire and who is committed to what the LEP is trying to achieve.

"It is not a role for a ‘figure head’, it needs someone who is prepared to roll their sleeves up and get ‘stuck in’. The new chair will need to provide clear, strong, visible leadership and get out and about and talk to people and businesses across the region about what they need."

The chair will be required to lead the board and help to achieve the LEP’s ambitious vision to strive for a carbon negative region by building a greener, fairer and stronger economy, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, and work with partners to realise the region’s devolution ambitions.

Since 2014, the LEP has invested a total of £230m to support business, infrastructure, and skills across the region including housing, transport, flood alleviation, social inclusion and workforce development, and recently secured £1.8m in funding for the £17m revamp of the former prison in Northallerton, which is being turned into a retail, leisure and business site.

Mr Kerfoot added: "During my time as chair, I’ve seen that it’s not necessarily the biggest investments that make the biggest impact - it’s the ability of the LEP to bring together various organisations, local authorities and businesses that makes the greatest difference and gets things done.”

The new chair will have the opportunity to be a part of the proposed devolution deal negotiations for York and North Yorkshire which could potentially provide £2.4 billion of investment in the region over the next 30 years helping to drive the region’s recovery and future growth.

A minimum commitment of eight to 10 days per month is required for the three-year term.

The LEP is committed to diversity and inclusivity in its recruitment of staff and board members and this will be reflected in its approach to this recruitment campaign.

Further information is available and applications can be submitted at: www.ynylepchair.com.

Applications will close on Friday, October 2 and an announcement will be made in November.