Selection criteria for private sector business representatives and a guide to the skills and competencies needed.

Cumbria LEP vision

The vision of Cumbria LEP is for Cumbria to have one of the fastest growing economies in the UK, in an energized and healthy environment.

Guidance to private sector business representatives

• Your skills, experience and contribution will be vital to the success of the LEP
• Your primary role will be to represent the views and interests of private sector businesses and in particular those of your sector, business size banding and geographic area, whilst always ensuring that decisions are taken in the best interests of the county’s business community as a whole
• Your role is not to represent your own business or personal interests
• Your driving force behind wanting to become a business representatives on the LEP should be to give something back, wanting to contribute and help ensure an environment in which Cumbrian businesses can flourish and develop the Cumbrian economy
• Representatives are welcome from for profit, not for profit and social enterprises
• Support will be provided with ongoing business engagement and consultation through a range of means, including ad hoc expert groups and drawing in other relevant individuals with specialist knowledge
• You will benefit from and be expected to participate actively in effective engagement with private sector LEP partners through the members of the Advisory Panel

Skills and competencies

• Experienced person with at least three years in a senior appointment
• A successful individual
• Good standing in the business community
• Good team player
• Good Communicator
• Reliable, effective and efficient
• Good influencing skills
• Intelligent, clear thinking, active listener
• A logical approach to problem solving and able to demonstrate sound judgement
• Has the interests of the Cumbrian business community and Cumbrian economy at heart
• Has the time and the commitment to give to the LEP board
• Can bring demonstrable relevant skills and experience

Sector Coverage

There are a number of key sectors and key drivers in the development of the Cumbrian economy and it is important that the Board includes business representatives with experience of these sectors and who can represent the interests of and engage with businesses within them. Good connections into relevant networks will be an advantage. These key priority sectors are:

• Manufacturing
• Energy
• Visitor economy
• Food and drink

Geographic Coverage

It is important that the make-up of the Board reflects the different business communities and geographic areas in Cumbria and that we appoint business representatives from all areas:

• North/East Cumbria (including Carlisle)
• Furness (including Barrow)
• South Lakeland
• West Cumbria

This will enable each business representative to benefit the LEP by representing the interests of their local area and engage in particular with businesses in that area. Good connections into relevant networks will be an advantage.

Business Size

The size of their business or the experience representatives have had in a number of businesses will be an important asset for the LEP. The issues facing the different sizes of organisation need to be understood by the LEP Board. The size groups are:

• Micro and small 0-20 employees
• Medium 21-250 employees
• Large 251 + employees