THE body charged with promoting economic growth in Dorset is looking for a new chair.

Dorset LEP is advertising the role, which requires a commitment of five to eight days a month and pays £20,000 a year.

Jim Stewart has been chair of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) since November 2017 and his term will expire this year.

Mr Stewart, who is chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said: “It has been a fantastic experience to lead Dorset LEP as chair over the last three years and to see so much investment and improvement in Dorset as a result of our work over this time. With a new investment strategy being developed, this is an exciting time to pass on the baton to a new chair.”

The LEP is among 38 in England which bring the private and public sectors together to drive growth and bid for government funding, as well as developing local industrial strategies and increasing productivity.

Mr Stewart has also been chair of the British Ports Association, Maritime UK and UK Port Skills, and has been president of Dorset Chamber.

During Mr Stewart’s time chairing Dorset LEP, the county has secured £11.8million from the government’s Getting Building Fund.

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Announced in the summer, the package includes new border facilities at the Port of Poole, flexible living and working space in Poole’s Old Town and multi-million pound funding for health, technology and education.

The LEP said it had continued delivering it’s a £98.4m programme of Growth Deal Projects on time and on budget.

LEP deputy chair Sara Uzzell said: “On behalf of Dorset LEP and our stakeholders, I wish to thank Jim for his dynamic leadership and support during his role as chair of the board. We have made some important improvements for Dorset since his appointment, thanks to his vision.”

The LEP said it welcomes applications from candidates with a strong business background and a reputation at a senior level.

The chair will be required to represent the LEP at key events and on committees, as well as liaising with stakeholders including business owners, councils, MPs and ministers. The chair will also preside over board meetings every other month and will be supported in the role by director Lorna Carver.

Applications must be in by Monday, October 26, at 10am, with details on the website of recruitment agency Gatenby Sanderson at gatenbysanderson.com/