The new chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has come out fighting after he was appointed despite the concerns of local politicians.
MPs from across the political divide as well as local councillors had gone on record expressing doubts about Sir Peter Rigby’s suitability for the role because of potential conflicts with his significant business interests in the city.
Sir Peter - whose wealth is estimated at around £400 million - owns SCH, the fifth largest privately owned company in the UK, as well as Coventry Airport. Sir Peter’s £250million Coventry Gateway scheme – for up to 10,000 manufacturing and distribution jobs and to redevelop land around Coventry Airport – has been the main project advanced by the LEP, a coalition government-established "business-led" partnership with public sector councils.
However, Sir Peter was voted in as chairman of the partnership a fortnight ago but wanted time to see how his nomination was received by the business community and he has now accepted the role.
He said: "I have been involved in the LEP since day one and feel very strongly that it offers a real opportunity for this area to help build a stronger economy for the benefit of everyone.
"It has made a good start in several areas but there is a great deal of work to be done if we are to ensure that the LEP helps Coventry and Warwickshire realise its undoubted potential.
"I wanted time to see what the feedback of my possible appointment would be and I have been very encouraged by the level of support.
"The more I have become involved in Coventry and Warwickshire the more I have seen its economic potential, and am convinced that business has to play a major part in driving it forward."
He is also keen to review the make-up of the board and reaffirm the LEPs goals as well as responding to the earlier concerns about vested interests.
He added: "Everyone around the boardroom table has a vested interest in the area. That is the nature of every LEP across the country, and of most boards in most businesses. The key thing is that they are managed properly. I see having a board which is fully engaged in the economy as only a positive thing."
Sir Peter’s appointment was welcomed by Martyn Hollingsworth, CW LEP Board Member, and Director, Engineering Technical Services, at Jaguar Land Rover.
He said: "Following the very successful establishment of the CWLEP I am pleased to welcome Sir Peter as chair for a year.
"His skills and experience will help steer the LEP through the next phase of development to become a strong, independent, private sector-led body focused on creating jobs and opportunity in Coventry and Warwickshire."
