Enterprising Cumbria has been launched – an organisation to provide a voice for Cumbrian businesses.
It will take on the functions of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) and is run by Cumberland and Westmorland & Furness councils.
It said it aimed to support economic growth, invest in skills, and promote Cumbria as a great place to live, work, and do business.
Lead members from the authorities have supported the development of Enterprising Cumbria, which will be delivering on the priorities of both councils, businesses and residents over the next few months.
The launch is supported by a new identity, which will have a strong, visible presence locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to promote Cumbria.
Enterprising Cumbria will be led by the newly appointed Isobel Brown, who started in her role as Interim programme director on Monday June 17.
She will lead the new Enterprising Cumbria team, who transferred from Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership on April 1.
Isobel brings a wealth of experience having worked with a number of Councils in England as well as both local and central government and the private sector across the UK.
Members and officers from Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness councils thanked the local enterprise partnership, including its board, wider governance structures and CEO Jo Lappin, in addition to everyone involved in delivering a strong voice and opportunities for Cumbria.
Mark Fryer, leader of Cumberland Council, said: “I sincerely appreciate the exceptional work established by Cumbria LEP since 2012, which has laid the groundwork for positioning Cumbria as an exciting, diverse, and opportunity-rich place to do business.
“The launch of Enterprising Cumbria allows us to really build on this legacy and further champion the strength of the Cumbrian economy, leveraging the wealth of opportunities our region offers.”
Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, added: “The launch of Enterprising Cumbria is another significant step forward in promoting business opportunities and ensuring we maximise economic growth, investment and skills across Cumbria.
“We thank Jo Lappin and her entire team for their great work at the CLEP in getting us to where we are today. We now welcome Isobel Brown to take forward this work. We are all excited to see how far this new opportunity will take us.”
Ms Brown said: “I am thrilled to be appointed as interim lead at this incredibly exciting time for Enterprising Cumbria and for the region as a whole.
“Cumbria has amazing resources and potential as a place to do business, across a whole range of sectors and we all look forward to the opportunity to drive economic growth forward as a single Cumbrian voice for our region.”
