AN inspirational business leader is needed to spearhead the rapid economic growth of greater Cambridgeshire for the next couple of years – but the successful candidate should not expect to be paid.

One of the first of the new-style local enterprise partnerships to get the green light from the coalition Government was one covering the economic sub-region that encompasses Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and neighbouring areas with strong economic affinity, such as parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.

The new LEP is now looking for a chairman for the partnership’s shadow board.

The Greater Cambridgeshire Greater Peterborough LEP is one of the first that will take over some of the functions of the East of England Development Agency, which is due to be disbanded in 2013. But it will not inherit EEDA’s budget and may have to look to Europe for economic development funding because – ironically – money from the new Regional Growth Fund will not be available to growing regions.

The partnership, which includes local government and business interests, is seeking “an inspirational business leader who has a strong track record growing and running a significant business, a good understanding of public policy at local and national level, credibility with a wide range of stakeholders, the ability to draw together a wide number of people to pursue common goals, and the ability to exert influence at a national level”.

It adds: “The role will initially be for up to two years, and does not command a salary. All reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.”

INFORMATION: Candidates should submit in confidence a brief CV and a short letter by e-mail to John Bridge, chief executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, at j.bridge@cambscci.co.uk by 4pm next Wednesday, December 15.