A business-led group that aims to boost the south east “economic engine” has a new chairman.

The South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SE LEP), which represents Kent, Medway, East Sussex, Essex, Southend and Thurrock, has appointed Peter Jones. He takes over from John Spence on August 1.

Mr Jones, 68, said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to take on this important and challenging position. We are seeing some signs of economic recovery, but there is still a long hard road ahead.

“The South East, as one of the country’s economic engines, is key to the success of that journey. We need to lever in funding from both public and private sources for innovative projects that allow businesses to flourish and create new jobs.

“Under the chairmanship of John Spence the SE LEP has made significant strides in helping tackle the blockages preventing businesses across our area from fulfilling their potential. I am sure SE LEP’s partners and stakeholders, together with the wider business community, would join me in thanking him and paying tribute to his efforts over the past two years.

“I am determined to build on the good work that John has started and the opportunities and benefits this LEP can bring to continue to boost the local and national economies.”
Mr Spence added: “I would like to thank everyone involved in the LEP for their efforts and support during my term as chairman; I think Peter will be an excellent successor and I know that he and the board will make a superb team.”

Mr Jones is a former investment banker and retired leader of East Sussex County Council. He spent his working life in the City of London as a partner of Laing & Cruikshank. He subsequently worked for Bankers Trust on Mergers and Acquisitions in London. He has held several non-executive directorships of UK, US, and Australian companies.

He was a county councilor in East Sussex from 1997 and leader from 2001 until standing down in May this year. He is married to former MP Jacqui Lait and lives in Hastings.

Meanwhile, SE LEP director Dr Susan Priest is to leave in the autumn to become Corporate Director – Economic Regeneration for Shepway council.

SE LEP is the largest strategic partnership of its kind outside London. It represents a combined population of 3.9 million people and is home to more than 130,000 businesses, which provide more than 1.3 million jobs. It contributes £63 billion a year to the national economy.