Dorset LEP chair is Cecilia Bufton

Cecilia Bufton, who has 30 years’ experience in business, replaces Jim Stewart in the top job.

She is a marketing and business development consultant who chairs the board of the Macular Society and the trustees of Plant Heritage.

Her previous jobs include working as a freelance investment consultant, marketing director with Tunstall Healthcare, vice-president in charge of global marketing at Linde Healthcare and marketing director with BOC Medical.

She has a masters in business administration (MBA) in international strategic marketing.

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She said: “The impact of Dorset LEP’s investments, Covid-19 recovery initiatives, business engagement and careers education activities are being felt across the region and I look forward to representing businesses, using my expertise and experience to help drive forward this work.

“I take on the role of chair as we face some of the biggest challenges in business, in education and in our communities. Dorset LEP already has an excellent reputation for collaborative working and I accept the mantle with confidence that Dorset LEP and our partners really can make a difference for Dorset’s people, and as a place.

“Having recently been awarded an additional £11.8million for local projects as part of the national Getting Building Fund, I look forward to seeing those progress and supporting Dorset LEP’s work across our key sectors, skills initiatives, investment campaigns and our strategic work with local partners and government. I am keen to get started.”

The LEP’s deputy chair, Sara Uzzell, said: “Cecilia joins Dorset LEP at an important time for our region’s recovery. I am confident that her expertise will further enable Dorset LEP to make the most of future opportunities, drive productivity and attract investment into the area.

“On behalf of Dorset LEP and our stakeholders, I wish to thank former chair of the Board, Jim Stewart, for his vision, leadership and commitment.”