Investment and growth in the local economy are the top priorities of newly appointed chairman of Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) John Mortimer.
John, pictured, also said he would be a champion for the area and wants businesses to get in touch with collaborative ideas to boost productivity. 
He has been vice-chairman and acting chairman of the LEP’s board since previous chairman Barry Dennington stepped down four months ago.
As chairman, John is keen for the LEP to help grow the area’s economy and increase the productivity of its businesses.
He said: “We will continue working with our partners in Swindon Borough and Wiltshire Councils to help create the environment in which responsible businesses can thrive.
“Our aim is to encourage local investment and growth. I will be a champion for the area and am very keen to hear from businesses of ways in which we can collaborate to help them grow and expand the economy.”
John, a mining engineer by profession, has long championed rural affairs businesses and has vowed to bring his wide knowledge of the small and medium enterprise sector to the role.
But he also said: “Our area is home to some large and great businesses of international repute that are essential to the growth of the economy.
“I want the LEP to be a common link between them and the small and medium enterprise sector so that together, we create a resilient and sustainable local economy benefitting all and also contributing significantly to the national economy.”
As chairman, John will also lead the board in overseeing the organisation’s financial management. The LEP manages projects worth £148m, including major transport schemes and projects to bring employment land to the market.
The organisation is expected to get more funding following the announcement in last month’s Autumn Statement by Chancellor Philip Hammond of an extra £191m for the South West’s six LEPs.
John added “Economic development requires investment. As chairman I am well aware that my most significant responsibility is to demonstrate accountability and transparency in our decision-making and operations.
“As a Local Enterprise Partnership we have always maintained the highest standards of efficiency in the use of public money by adhering to strict frameworks endorsed by the government and we will continue to do so.”
Swindon and Wiltshire LEP director Paddy Bradley added: “I am delighted by the board’s decision to appoint John Mortimer as chairman.
“His leadership as vice-chairman and acting chairman has provided stability and direction to the LEP. I look forward to working with him and continuing our task to support businesses in the area.”
John has taken up his new role with immediate effect, while also heading the Country Land & Business Association’s (CLA) South West region based in Biddestone, near Chippenham – a role he has held since 2002.
He is also a management board member on the South West Rural and Farming Network.
John has 25 years’ experience in the minerals industry, latterly as technical and external affairs director at Hanson Quarry Products Europe in Chipping Sodbury.
During that time, he was also chairman of the British Geological Survey and chairman of the CBI Minerals Committee.
The LEP, a partnership between the area’s two local authorities - Swindon Borough Council and Wiltshire Council - and businesses, was formed in 2011 and has an ambitious plan to drive economic growth and transform Swindon and Wiltshire into one of the UK’s leading hubs for innovation.
It has developed a Strategic Economic Plan with five strategic objectives – skills and talent; transport infrastructure; digital capability; place shaping; and business development – based on its vision for what Swindon and Wiltshire will look like by 2026.
It has set targets to create a minimum of 47,000 jobs and build 64,000 homes by 2026.
