Chief Executives & Chairs

Each RDA is led by a Chair and a Board of 15 people.

RDA Chairs have a track record of working in their region and understanding the needs of regional businesses. The Boards are made up of a wide mix of leaders from local government, the voluntary sector, trade unions and business.

The day to day management of each agency is led by its Chief Executive who is appointed by the Board, subject to approval from Ministers or, in London, the Mayor.

The RDA Chairs meet regularly with each other and with Government ministers to advise on national policy. They provide a regional perspective informed by work on the ground with partners and by the extensive consultations they hold in the regions. RDAs help central government ensure that local conditions and local needs are fully taken into account when they draw up national policy.

Advantage West Midlands

Mick Laverty, Chief Executive: Mick Laverty, Chief Executive Designate, is an accountant with a career background in local government in London and the Midlands. Appointed as Director of Finance and Strategy at Advantage West Midlands in 1999, Mick was named Chief Executive Designate at the Agency in December 2007.

Mick is responsible for all of the 2,500 projects and programmes funded by Advantage West Midlands in addition to the finance, human resources, facilities, and IT teams within the Agency.

Additionally, Mick has responsibility for Advantage West Midlands' development work which includes major land and property schemes such as the New Street Gateway scheme, Ventureast and Longbridge Technology Park in Birmingham and i54 and Bilston Urban Village in the Black Country.

Mick is a Board member of Investbx, Midlands Excellence, Wolverhampton Development Company, Black Country Consortium and PxP.
Nick Paul, Chairman: Nick Paul became Chairman of AWM in December 2002 and was reappointed to the post for a second term, running until December 2008.

Formerly Chairman of the West Midlands CBI and a member of the CBI Manufacturing Council, Nick was Deputy Chief Executive of international engineering group IMI Plc until the end of 2001 after 24 years with the company.

From April 2005, he was the Chairman of the MG Rover Task Force, the group set up by the Department of Trade and Industry to co–ordinate the response to the closure of the Longbridge plant. In the 12 months of its existence, the Task Force was successful in finding jobs for 4,000 of the 5,800 workers who lost their job in the collapse, a rate of more than 100 per week.

Nick is currently Chairman of Tricorn Group Plc and is a non–executive director of Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) Plc. Married with four children and three grandchildren Nick is a former Chairman of the Arts and Business in the West Midlands, a former Governor of the City Technology College in Kingshurst and former Chair of Governors at the Downs School, Colwall, Malvern.

East of England Development Agency

Richard Ellis, Chair: Richard Ellis was reappointed as Chair of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) for a further three years in December 2006.

Chief Executive of Kettle Foods until 2000, Richard is now Managing Director of Norfolk Country Cottages. Richard is a chartered management accountant, a trustee of Norwich Theatre Royal, a member of the Regional Council of the Prince’s Trust, a Director of The Forum Trust and a Director of Rothamstead Research.

Richard is the lead Chair for the nine English RDAs on rural and sustainable development issues. In this role he represents RDAs and rural partners in work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Richard is Chair of the EEDA’s Strategy committee and EEDA’s Remuneration and Selection committee.
David Marlow, Chief Executive: David Marlow joined the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) as Chief Executive in October 2003.

David led EEDA through its first National Audit Office independent performance assessment in spring/summer 2006 which concluded that EEDA is performing well, with strong leadership, enthusiastic staff and an ambitious Regional Economic Strategy for the region with clear buy–in from regional partners.

He has ensured a focus within EEDA’s broad remit for setting and shaping direction for economic development in the region and influencing others to bring resources together to find innovative ways to respond to challenges. Where EEDA invests in projects, it now does so in imaginative initiatives which challenge the norm and which will have a significant impact on economic development in one of four areas: business support, enterprise hubs, investing in communities and regional renaissance.

Before joining EEDA David was Chief Executive of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council — a large local authority with over 14,000 employees and an annual turnover of around £450 million.

David is an economist and his career in public service spans over 20 years working both in the UK and overseas.

East Midlands Development Agency

Jeff Moore, Chief Executive: Jeff joined emda as the Director of Finance in July 1999 and subsequently became responsible for Inward Investment and Tourism, becoming Director of Corporate Services & Investment. He was promoted to the role of Deputy Chief Executive in January 2003 and then to Chief Executive in February 2005.

He trained and qualified as a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy within local government, working through a variety of financial roles within District and County Councils. In 1989 he was appointed Director of Finance for Broxtowe Borough Council.

Jeff is Chair of the Investment Advisory Committee of the East Midlands Regional Venture Capital Fund, and is also a board member of Derby Cityscape (URC), Nottingham Regeneration Limited and Regional Sports Board. Jeff also sits on the ESP (Employment, Skills & Productivity Partnership) Executive Group. He is an ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Bid and represents emda on the Nations and Regions group chaired by Charles Allen.
Dr Bryan Jackson OBE FRSA, Chair: Bryan was appointed Chair of emda in December 2004.

He retired from the position of Managing Director of Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Limited in 2004, after 14 years, having spent the previous 23 years with Ford Motor Company. He has worked in many disciplines, holding senior positions and managing several different plants in the UK and Europe.

He was Chairman of the East Midlands Regional Council of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in 2000/2 and is active in the field of economic development and education, both locally and nationally.

As well as being Chairman of emda, Bryan sits on the Manufacturing Forum, the Strategic Forum Olympic Task Group and is a board member of Industry Forum. He is currently an adviser to Toyota Motor Europe, as well as Chairman of Total Motivation, Deputy Chairman of Unipart Manufacturing Group and a non–executive Director of the Wesleyan Assurance Society.

London Development Agency

Manny Lewis, Chief Executive: Manny completed a master’s degree in Manpower Planning before moving to Lewisham Council as Head of Recruitment, and subsequently to Waltham Forest Council as the Head of Education Personnel. In 1990 he joined Birmingham Council as Assistant Director for Education, where he contributed directly to its highly regarded transformation of educational standards and led the mission to make schools more representative of Birmingham’s diversity.

Manny then moved to Thurrock Council as Head of Personnel and Democratic Services, leading the Council’s organisational development from a small district to a 5000–employee, unitary authority. He later led one of the first member cabinet/scrutiny prototypes in advance of legislation and received acclaim for his groundbreaking work on employee health schemes.

In 2001 he was appointed Executive Director for the GLA, helping form London’s new regional government and managing the set–up and delivery of Foster’s iconic City Hall. Working with the Mayor and the Assembly, Manny played a large part in setting up the GLA and the processes for delivering its strategic objectives. He was seconded to the LDA as Interim Deputy Chief Executive in June 2003.

Manny became Acting Chief Executive of the LDA from 5 January 2004 and was appointed Chief Executive in April 2004. He is a corporate member of the Institute of Personnel and Development.
Mary Reilly, Chair: Mary Reilly is Chair of the LDA, and also a senior partner of Deloitte.

She works with organisations operating in a wide range of industries including retail businesses, recruitment, media, business services, manufacturing and professional practices.

Mary graduated from University College London and did a postgraduate course at London Business School. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England & Wales.

North West Regional Development Agency

Steve Broomhead, Chief Executive: As Chief Executive of NWRDA, Steven is responsible for a budget of £1.5bn for the three years up to 2009, as well as assets of approx £200m and 400 staff. During his tenure he has overseen rapid progress in the work of the Agency; the National Audit Office recently carried out a detailed quality audit of the Agency and the outcome was ‘Performing Strongly’ — the highest grade available.

Until 2003, Steven was Chief Executive of Warrington Borough Council (Unitary). During his five and a half years in this position, the Borough received excellent inspection reports and Warrington was recognised nationally as a major centre for enterprise and inward investment. From 1994 to 1997, Steven was the Principal of Warrington Collegiate Institute. Prior to this, he was Principal of a Tertiary college in Easington, County Durham and Vice Principal of Skelmersdale College in Lancashire.

Steven is a committed advocate of lifelong learning and was awarded the BT National Lifelong Learning Award for his contribution to skills and education. He has been a member of the National Skills Alliance since 2003 and in 2001 he was appointed by the Government as a member of the Board for the Learning & Skills Development Agency. In 2006 he was given an award for his regional contribution to equality and disability.

He is a governor of the University of Central Lancashire, Chairman of Governors at Skelmersdale College and a Patron of the Campaign for Learning. He has previously been President of the Warrington Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Northwest Chamber of Commerce and is active with the CBI/IoD within the region. Outside of his work, Steven is the Vice Chairman of Warrington Wolves Rugby League Football Club and a member of the board of the Prince’s Trust for the region. Married, he lives near Preston in Lancashire.
Bryan Gray MBE DL, Chairman: Bryan Gray is Chairman of NWRDA. Before joining the Agency, Bryan was Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman of Baxi Group Limited, and is currently Chairman of Baxi Technologies. He joined Baxi in 1993 having previously worked for ICI for almost 20 years. He is also vice–president of the Micropower Council, and a non–executive director of Energetix plc.

Bryan is Pro Chancellor of the University of Lancaster and an Honorary Professor in the Department of the Built Environment at the University of Nottingham. He leads for the RDAs on Skills and Education and is a member of the National Learning & Skills Council, chairing its Audit Committee. He was Chairman of Preston North End Football Club until October 2001 and was founder Chairman of the National Football Museum. He is a member of the Liverpool Capital of Culture Board, a Trustee of National Museums Liverpool, a member of Liverpool Cathedral Council and a Director of Culture Northwest.

He was Chair of CBI North West from 2000 to 2002. He was awarded an MBE for services to regeneration in Preston in 2001 and an Honorary Fellowship of the University of Central Lancashire in 2004. He was a Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire and was High Sheriff of Lancashire in 2003/04. He is non–executive Chairman of Westmorland Limited. He is a member of the Lake District National Park Authority. He was awarded The Prince of Wales Ambassador Award for the Northwest in July 2006. He is non–executive Chair of Urban Splash Hotel Company and Chairman of Liverpool Culture Company Board.

One NorthEast

Alan Clarke, Chief Executive: Alan took over as head of the Agency in June 2003.

He has an outstanding background of 25 years public service in the North East, tackling the economic, physical and social challenges the region has had to face.

Born in Liverpool, he graduated with a BA (Hons) in Economics from Lancaster University and is a Master of Civic Design (Town Planning) from Liverpool University. He is also a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. His career in the public service began as a policy officer at South Ribble Borough Council, Preston, before moving on to South Tyneside, Newcastle City and City of Sunderland councils.

At Newcastle City Council as Chief Economic Development Officer, he developed, co-ordinated and implemented the authority’s economic regeneration policies and programmes. As Assistant Chief Executive at the City of Sunderland Council he took a leading role in the strategic corporate management of the authority, giving direct support to the chief executive and leading members. He also played a major role in the ambitious regeneration programme for the city.

In February 2000, he took up the post of Chief Executive of Northumberland County Council where he was in charge of a workforce of 12,000 employees providing a wide range of services to over 300,000 people with an operational budget of £300m.
Margaret Fay OBE, Chair: Margaret Fay was appointed Chairman of One NorthEast in December 2003.

In her 22 years with Tyne Tees Televison, she moved from her initial role in the Accounts Department to become Managing Director in 1997, a role she held until she took early retirement in December 2003 in order to take up her current post.

During her time at Tyne Tees, Margaret continued to deliver against objectives and, in addition to the various posts she held, continued to specialise in human resources and industrial relations issues. Over the last few years at Tyne Tees she established strong relationships with the region’s business and political communities.

Margaret is a Board Member of English Partnerships, a non–executive Director of Darlington Building Society, a Governor of Teesside University and Patron of Tees Valley Community Foundation. She was awarded the OBE in June 2004 for services to broadcasting and an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration in July 2004 from Sunderland University for her services to Broadcasting, Business and Regional Life.

In June 2005, Margaret was appointed the Prince of Wales Ambassador for the North East of England.

South East England Development Agency

Pam Alexander, Chief Executive: Pam Alexander joined SEEDA as Chief Executive in January 2004, having been involved in regeneration for nearly 30 years.

Pam chairs the Margate Renewal Panel, the Hastings & Bexhill Taskforce and is Deputy Chair of Ashford’s Future. She also chairs the South East Group 2012 (SEG 2012). She is Chair of the Peabody Trust and a non–executive Director of The Housing Finance Corporation Ltd. She chaired the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Policy and Practice Programme on Mixed Income Communities and is on the Shadow Board of Investors in Communities and was on the inaugural Advisory Board of Regenerate. She is a Director of Brighton Dome and Festival Ltd, and in November 2006 was appointed as co–Chair of a new Women’s Enterprise Task Force.

Before joining SEEDA, Pam was Chief Executive of English Heritage from 1997 to 2001 and led the creation of its nine regional offices, integrating its advisory and grant–giving with its historic attractions at regional level. As Deputy Chief Executive of the Housing Corporation from 1995 to 1997, she was responsible for the regional team and its annual £2bn programme of investment in social housing through housing associations. As a civil servant in the Department of the Environment from 1975 to 1994, she worked on local government finance, transport, inner city regeneration and housing policies and in Brussels on legislation to protect the environment.

Her report for Cabinet Office and Treasury ‘Better Government Services: Executive Agencies in the 21st Century’ was published in July 2002 and its recommendations are being implemented.
James E Brathwaite, CBE, Chairman: Jim is Chairman of SEAL Ltd, an environmental company based in Burgess Hill. He is also Chairman of four other small businesses in Sussex, and a director of RSTV Ltd in Maidstone.

After graduating in Zoology and Physiology at Sheffield University, Jim’s early career was in accountancy, marketing and sales until he started his own business designing training videos in 1982. This led him to form Epic Interactive Media in 1989, which became one of Europe’s largest multimedia companies, employing 150 staff. He floated it in 1996, becoming Britain’s first black CEO of a publicly quoted company.

He was appointed to the Board of SEEDA in December 2001 and in August 2002 was appointed Chairman. Jim is a member of the Court of the Sussex University, the DTI’s Manufacturing Forum, Small Business Investment Taskforce and Strategic Supply Chain Group. He has also been involved with DEFRA’s Sustainable Procurement Taskforce, the UK Trade and Investment’s International Trade Development Advisory Panel and the new International Business Advisory Panel. In 2006 he became a member of the BERR’s Environmental Innovations Advisory Group and DEFRA’s Commission on Environmental Markets and Economic Performance. He is a director of the University of Greenwich, Farnham Castle Trustees Ltd, Environment Agency, and the Public Catalogue Foundation.

He was the founding Chairman of Business Link Sussex, holding the post from 1996–2001, and also a founding Director of ‘Wired Sussex’. He has been: Treasurer of the Caribbean Advisory Group at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Chairman of the Arundel Festival; Governor of Brighton & Hove 6th Form College; a member of the Council of the University of Sussex. He is also Patron of the Asian Business Council. He was awarded the CBE for services to the Sussex economy in the New Year’s Honours 2001, an Honorary Degree from University College Chichester in 2003 and became an Honorary Fellow of City & Guilds and a Councillor in 2006.

South West of England Regional Development Agency

Jane Henderson, Chief Executive: Jane Henderson succeeded Geoff Wilkinson as Chief Executive of the South West of England Regional Development Agency.

Before joining the South West RDA, Jane was Senior Strategic Adviser on Sustainable Communities at the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA). She has had a distinguished public service career, including posts in the Northern Ireland Office, H.M Treasury, Department of Employment, the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Rural Development Commission.

Before joining IDeA, Jane spent seven years as Regional Director in the Government Office for the South West. In 2004 she was appointed a Companion of the Bath (CB) for services to South West England.
Juliet Williams, Chair: A former book publisher and editor of The Geographical Magazine, Juliet Williams subsequently spent 17 successful years as Chief Executive of companies in the creative industries. She created ‘one of the 100 best companies to work for in the UK’ and subsequently founded her own management consultancy in 1991.

Juliet also runs a business incubator for young entrepreneurs and teaches on MBA programmes around the world. She is a visiting professor in Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University, USA and was a founder member of Cirencester College Corporation, serving as the College’s Vice–Chairman for ten years.

Chair of the ‘Chairs of the English regions’ in 2004/05, she now chairs both the South West Regional Skills Partnership and the national Regional Skills Partnerships Forum. She is a member of the BERR’s Industrial Development Advisory Board, of the Boards of VisitBritain and the Academy for Sustainable Communities and of the Nations and Regions Group for London 2012.

Juliet leads the management of the relationship with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on behalf of all of the English Regions, with particular attention paid to tourism and the visitor economy, the Creative Industries and London 2012.

Yorkshire Forward

Tom Riordan, Chief Executive: Tom was appointed as Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward in December 2005, he took up the position on 1 February 2006. Along with a considerable experience in the public sector, he is the youngest RDA Chief Executive since their establishment in 1999.

Tom was born and educated in Northallerton, North Yorkshire and graduated with a Modern History honours degree from Trinity College, Oxford University in 1989. He immediately joined the Civil Service’s fast stream management scheme with the Department of the Environment in London and progressed quickly through a variety of jobs, including representing the UK in United Nations negotiations on climate change and endangered species.

Tom gained a first class Masters in Business Administration at Imperial College, London University in 1997 and returned to Yorkshire with the task of setting up the RDA for the Government Office. Once Yorkshire Forward was successfully established, he took on the task of producing the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) for Yorkshire and Humber.

Tom has served as a non–Executive Director of the Bradford Regeneration Company, Chair of Yorkshire Futures and is a Trustee of a social enterprise.
Terry Hodgkinson, Chair: Terry Hodgkinson is Chair of Yorkshire Forward’s Board. He is responsible for the continuous refreshing, updating and promotion of the Regional Economic Strategy which has a direct influence on the region’s £75.2bn economy. Ultimately accountable for Yorkshire Forward’s performance and output targets, Terry reports directly to senior Government Ministers and provides the key interface with Yorkshire Forward’s stakeholders. He leads on a number of national issues on behalf of all RDAs including maintaining relationships with the Treasury, CBI and TUC.

Terry is a keen supporter of the arts and built environment. He brings more than 30 years’ business experience to the post and has been involved with many property and building related businesses within the region.

He is Chair of Magna Holdings Ltd, a property development and investment company, Chartered Director of the Institute of Directors and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building.