What is the Business Board?
The Business Board will provide a strong and independent business voice to the region to advise York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA) and the Mayor on strategy and policy that will unlock the region’s economic potential and stimulate growth and prosperity.
The Business Board oversees the development of the York and North Yorkshire Growth Plan in response to UK Government’s proposed new National Industrial Strategy.
The purpose of the Business Board is to…
- create a co-ordinated voice so that the private sector can inform and influence the shape and future direction of local and national government policy.
- ensure policy and decisions of the YNYCA receive the input and views of key business leaders and take account of the views of the wider business community.
- engage with local, national and international businesses to understand the needs of different sectors and markets.
- engage business, opinion formers and policy makers at a national and international level in promoting economic growth in the region.
- work collaboratively with all partners, including local authorities and other public and third sector bodies to address barriers to growth and to drive efficiency.
- bring together intelligence and expertise to identify priorities and develop solutions to maximise private sector investment in the region and secure sustainable growth.
The Business Board will drive forward, scrutinise and ensure performance in the following areas…
- Development of Economic Policy
- Business Growth and Economic Strategy
- Inward Investment
- York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub Business Support Service
- Business Innovation Agenda
In addition, the Business Board will lead on strategic development and implementation of the following Local Economic Growth Programmes:
- the development of the Combined Authority priority “Boosting Business and Thriving Workforce” – to support delivery of inclusive economic growth ambitions for the area through increased productivity and higher quality jobs.
- the joint Innovation Plan for York and North Yorkshire, working in collaboration with UKRI and Innovate UK.
- supporting the global reach of the “High Opportunity Potential” sector development programme for unique specialisms in York and North Yorkshire for Industrial Biotechnology, Agri-tech, Creative and Digital, Healthy Ageing, Manufacturing and Rail.
- raising the profile of the area through promotion of “Invest in York and North Yorkshire” to unlock commercial development to attract investment and employment.
- supporting business to contribute to the ambition for York and North Yorkshire to be a carbon negative region through development of green and circular economy and climate adaptation.
Meetings
Further information from Business Board meetings can be found here.
Who is on the Business Board?
The Business Board comprises of 13 Members, representing various sectors across York and North Yorkshire.
Sector: Food & Bioeconomy
Location: Ripon
After starting her career in multinational banking, Jennifer launched O&3, a trusted provider of high-quality natural oils for a wide range of applications, from skin care to culinary use. Jennifer oversaw significant growth at O&3, a company that imports from 40 countries and exports to 62. O&3 has a strong focus on people as the driver of growth and currently employs 75 people, 50 of whom are based in Ripon.
Sector: Food & Drink
Location: Northallerton
Caroline Bell is the Director of Shepherds Purse Artisan Cheeses, a celebrated North Yorkshire family business founded in the 1980s to provide high-quality dairy alternatives for those with cow’s milk allergies. Caroline brings a wealth of experience from her previous role at Apple, where she developed her skills in strategic leadership, innovation and education technology. Alongside her sister Katie, she has guided Shepherds Purse to national and international acclaim, leading a team of 35 artisans who craft award-winning cheeses known for their exceptional quality.
Sector – Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise
Location – North Yorkshire
Jane is the Chief Executive of Community First Yorkshire, focussed on improving the lives of people living in Yorkshire through attaining more thriving, connected, inclusive and sustainable communities. Community First Yorkshire is the local infrastructure organisation in North Yorkshire, championing and supporting the VCSE sector. As a member of the Action with Communities in Rural England network, Jane understands the issues facing rural communities and is keen to address inequalities.
Sector: Small and Medium Sized Business, Business Finance, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise
Location: York
David is a well-connected businessperson with a passion for working with family- businesses. Amongst many non-executive public and private sector roles held, David is currently the Chair of St Leonards Hospice, York, and is a member of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund Stakeholder Advisory Board.
Sector: Creative Industries
Location: York
Cherie launched Aesthetica Magazine in 2003. It has 550,000 readers and is distributed in 900 UK outlets and exported to 20 countries. In 2011, the international BAFTA-Qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival was launched, attracting worldclass industry to the region, screening 300 films across multiple genres, including VR and gaming. Alongside this, Cherie is a champion for the sector launching Reignite, the Creative Business Skills Academy and the UNESCO City of Media Arts EXPO.
Sector: Manufacturing
Location: Scarborough
David is the Vice-President of the Power Systems business unit across the UK and Ireland at Schneider Electric. Having previously held senior roles at companies such as SSE, EON and RWE Npower, David has gained a wealth of experience in sustainability, renewal electricity generation, energy management and energy efficiency.
Sector: Rail Engineering
Location: York
Andy is a Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and has over 25 years’ experience within the Rail industry. Andy is Managing Director of AGH Engineering Ltd, a design consultancy based in the centre of York which provides specialist services to Network Rail and their supply chain. Andy sits on the IET Council and supports the Royal Academy of Engineering in policy development.
Sector: Food & Drink
Location: Northallerton
David is the Chair at Fix Our Food, a multi-disciplinary research programme which aims to transform the Yorkshire food system to benefit both human and planetary health. David co-founded the Kerfoot Group in 1980 with the group’s main markets being in food manufacturing, cosmetics and aromatherapy.
Sector: Bioeconomy
Location: York
Nicola is the Scientific Director at Labskin Limited, a leading skin science company based at York Biotech Campus. Labskin Limited create lab grown human skin equivalents to test cosmetic, skincare and pharmaceutical products with companies from around the world. Nicola has worked extensively with universities, start-ups and large businesses and is an innovator in her field of work.
Sector: Hospitality
Location: Ripon & York
Rebecca has vast experience across the hospitality sector and owns Layton Hill Hotels, having previously worked for renowned Yorkshire hotels such as Rudding Park, Devonshire Arms, and Feversham Arms and Verbena Spa. Rebecca is also Chair of Indie York, a not-for-profit business association that supports and celebrates local businesses around the city.
Sector: Retail, Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise, Hospitality
Location: York
Sam is the Co-Founder, and Finance and Development Director at Spark, a community interest company that revitalised a disused part of York City Centre to create opportunities for local businesses to open their first premises in a value driven environment. Sam co-founded Spark in 2018 at the age of 24 which has since provided valuable opportunities for local start-ups, creatives and community groups.
Sector: Manufacturing
Location: Harrogate
Andy is Managing Director at EnviroVent Limited, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of low energy, sustainable domestic ventilation equipment. Andy has held various director roles for over 17 years at the Harrogate based company that employs around 300 people and has a commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon by 2030.
JESSICA WRIGHT
Sector: Digital, Culture, Heritage, Education
Location: Skipton
Jessica is Managing Director of The Peel X Group where she has worked since the company was first launched in 2011. During this time, Jessica has specialised in the creation and delivery of award-winning digital (XR) and live projects across heritage, museum, leisure, tourism and education sectors. Her company develops innovative and interactive experiences to engage audiences and enhance user experiences.