Private and third sector leaders appointed to adVISE ON City Region Deal

The Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal has appointed a group of experts from the private and third sectors to its Regional Enterprise Council (REC).

The REC is comprised of a number of individuals from small, medium and large organisations across the region who will advise the Deal’s decision-making body, the Joint Committee, on the delivery of projects across the region and engage with their respective networks to provide a consensus from their respective fields of expertise on aspects of the Deal. The membership will also have a responsibility to develop closer working between the public, private and third sectors and to champion the Deal nationally and internationally to encourage investment opportunities.

Leeann Dempster, the Chief Executive of Hibernian Football Club who has advocated inclusion and growth initiatives in Edinburgh, has been named Chair of the Council. Claire Pattullo of Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network, who has extensive experience in delivering employability programmes and addressing barriers faced by disadvantaged groups, will serve as Vice Chair. The other members, who have been chosen to reflect the diverse economic make-up of the South-East of Scotland, are:

Leeann Dempster

Leeann Dempster

·         Ewan Aitken, Cyrenians

·         Robert Carr, Anderson Strathern

·         Stephen Drost, CodeBase

·         Steve Dunlop, Scottish Enterprise

·         Gavin Hamilton, Taylor Wimpey

·         Stephen Ingledew, Fintech Scotland

·         Nile Istephan, Eildon Housing Association

·         Angela Leitch, East Lothian Council

·         Polly Purvis, Scotland IS

·         David Thomson, Food & Drink Federation Scotland

·         Damien Yeates, Skills Development Scotland

Speaking on behalf of the Deal partners, City of Edinburgh Council leader, Adam McVey, said: “The transformative City Region Deal will deliver real, tangible opportunities for residents across the region allowing us to build a vibrant economy for our people and businesses to thrive in.

“I welcome the appointment of this exceptional group of private and third sector leaders and believe Leeann Dempster will make an outstanding chair. Together they will bring a wealth of strengths, skills and experience to the Regional Enterprise Council.”

Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills Jamie Hepburn said:

“The Scottish Government’s commitment to City Region Deals is now over £1.1 billion, providing the platform for greater collaboration within and between our City Regions.

“Deal investment is only the beginning of the journey towards enabling inclusive economic growth that is truly transformational, and the Regional Economic Partnership approach being developed in Edinburgh and South-East Scotland provides an opportunity to build on this. I’m pleased to see that business and the third sector will have the opportunity to play their parts in achieving this shared ambition through the Regional Enterprise Council.”

Scottish Secretary David Mundell said:

"The UK Government is investing over £1 billion in UK City Deals in Scotland. They build on existing economic strengths and create new opportunities across all parts of Scotland.  It is crucial that each deal reflects the specific needs of each region, which is why I welcome the advice and influence of this new Regional Enterprise Council.

“With experience in everything from shipping to apprenticeship schemes, these advisors will bring a range of perspectives to the table. This will ensure that the Edinburgh City Deal plays a crucial role in shaping economic prosperity across Edinburgh and South East Scotland."

The City Region Deal is a £1.3bn investment over the next 15 years designed to accelerate economic, inclusive growth and create opportunities across the entire South-East of Scotland. The UK and Scottish Government’s have partnered with six local authorities (City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian), Edinburgh’s universities and colleges and the private and third sector across the South-East of Scotland to deliver the deal. It was formally agreed on 7 August 2018.

City Region Deal on the hunt for leading lights from private and third sectors

Applications are open for individuals in the private and third sectors to join the Regional Enterprise Council (REC) for the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland City Region Deal.

The City Region Deal is a £1.3bn investment over the next 15 years that aims to accelerate economic growth and create opportunities for citizens across the entire South-East of Scotland.

The UK and Scottish Government are partnering with six local authorities (Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian), Edinburgh’s universities and colleges and the private and third sectors to deliver the Deal.

Anyone working in the private or third sectors in the region covered by the Deal can apply for the REC. The role of the Council is to advise the decision-making body, the Joint Committee, on aspects of the Deal. Members will support the implementation of the Deal and provide a consensus from their sector based on their industry knowledge. Appointed individuals will engage with their own networks to help capture a wide range of views and champion the Deal nationally and internationally to encourage investment opportunities. 

City of Edinburgh Councillor Adam McVey, Chair of the Edinburgh and South-East Scotland Leaders’ Group, said: “The Regional Enterprise Council will be a pivotal part of the governance structure for the City Region Deal.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for individuals from the private and third sector who are passionate about the place they live and work to contribute to a better future for all. They will support the delivery of the Deal’s ambitious plans for sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits everyone across the capital and the Lothians and from Fife down to the Borders. The Council will be a key component in helping to fully capitalise on the opportunities the Deal investment creates.”

The REC will comprise 12 members and will be representative of the region’s diverse economy and demographics. All local authority areas will be represented by at least one member with significant operations in their area and individuals will come from a range of organisation sizes.

Anyone interested can apply at http://www.acceleratinggrowth.org.uk/rec