Top appointments bring fresh experience to the Board of emda

Pat McFadden, Minister of State for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs, has announced two new appointments to the Board of the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).

 

Cllr Jim Harker and Elizabeth Donnelly will take up their three-year appointments on 14 December 2008 until 13 December 2011.

 

Pat McFadden said: "I am delighted to be appointing Cllr James Harker and Elizabeth Donnelly to the RDA Board for East Midlands. They will bring valuable experience and knowledge to the work of the RDA. Their membership to the Board will be important in the contribution they can make in supporting the national and regional economies through this exceptional economic period."

 

Dr Bryan Jackson, Chairman of emda, said: "I am delighted to welcome Jim and Elizabeth on to the Board of emda. Their experience and knowledge of the East Midlands will bring a fresh perspective to our work, complementing the valuable experience of our existing members. During these challenging times, it is vital that the Board provides strong leadership to ensure that emda is doing all it can to help companies survive the current economic downturn and thrive over the long term."

 

Regional Development Agency Board Member posts attract a remuneration of £8,538 per year for a time commitment of a minimum of 2 days per month.

 

emda is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development. Working in partnership with public, private and voluntary sector organisations the aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) 'A Flourishing Region', which sets out regional priorities until 2020.

 

The RES, co-ordinated by emda, highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and builds on the previous two strategies: 'Prosperity Through People' and 'Destination 2010'. In early 2007 the National Audit Office announced emda had received the highest possible grade of 'performing strongly' in an independent assessment of our work, scoring 22 out of 24.

 

The current economic downturn is posing a real challenge to regional businesses at present so a key priority for emda's Board is to ensure a range of support is in place to help companies survive through the tough times.

 

emda is also involved in the Regional Economic Cabinet, established last month by Phil Hope MP, Regional Minister for the East Midlands. This aims to assess current activity, identify barriers to joined-up working and challenge existing organisations and programmes in their response to the difficult economic situation. Both Bryan Jackson and emda's Chief Executive, Jeff Moore, are members of the group, representing the views of both the emda Board and the wider business community about what else can be done to help firms combat the credit crunch.