The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed Barbara Davies as its new chief executive.
The LEP’s former head of place and infrastructure, Barbara Davies, pictured, has been acting as interim director since former chief executive Paul Wilson quit six weeks ago. 
Barbara has worked at the LEP, which is tasked with steering economic growth across the region, since its formation in April 2012 and was previously head of transport for the West of England Partnership (WEP), one of its predecessor organisations.
She will continue to work with the West of England’s four local authorities, its business groups and universities and colleges to implement the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) – the blueprint for economic growth across the region which last month received Government funding worth £86.2m.
LEP chair Colin Skellett said: “The LEP executive unanimously agreed to appoint Barbara as permanent chief executive as she brings the right skills and experience combined with a thorough understanding of what is needed.
“This is a critical time for the LEP as we begin to roll out the first stages of our Strategic Economic Plan for the region and move towards next year’s General Election and the changes it may bring.”
Barbara said she had taken over the role at an “exciting time” for the LEP.
“We have an ambitious Strategic Economic Plan and I look forward to working collaboratively with our partners to deliver the plan and help shape our region’s future economic growth,” she said.
Her new role begins with immediate effect, reporting to the LEP board and LEP executive. Paul Wilson was appointed as the LEP’s first chief executive in March last year but left at short notice at the end of June to join Bristol City Council in a new role leading the authority's move towards open data.
