Chris Starkie, Chief Executive of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, is to leave the organisation to become Director of Growth and Investment at Norfolk County Council.
His new role at County Hall will involve working closely with the LEP as the process begins to integrate its functions and employees into Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils. Both local authorities have signed ‘in principle’ County Deals with Government as part of the ongoing devolution process.
The LEP is continuing to deliver a full programme of activities and programmes to support businesses over the coming 12 months, with its functions likely to transfer in spring 2024.
Chris will take up his new post at the end of June, with Chief Operating Officer Rosanne Wijnberg taking over the running of the organisation as it moves towards the transition.
He commented: “The past 12 years running the LEP has been an incredible journey and an amazing experience. From pretty much a standing start we have achieved astonishing results – more than £1.5bn in investment, more than 60 really significant capital projects, face to face support for more than 14,000 businesses, tens of millions in grants to business, thousands of new jobs, one of the largest Enterprise Adviser Networks, two of the country’s most successful Enterprise Zones, and so much more.
“The LEP has an amazing team of people who have continued to go above and beyond despite the uncertainty around our future, and it is down to them that we have been able to achieve what we have. I know that I am leaving it in the safe hands of an excellent leadership team and board.”
C-J Green, Chair of the LEP, said: “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong and impactful LEP in our region which is in no small part attributable to Chris and his leadership. While we are sad to see him leave, we are also delighted to have retained his skills within the region in support of Norfolk’s economy.
“Chris leaves a legacy of an incredible leadership team, who I know will continue the excellent work of the LEP with vigour and determination.”
