Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership appoints new chairman

Swindon & Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership has appointed a new chairman. Paul Moorby OBE, CEO of Brinkworth-based Chipside, replaces John Mortimer, who has been chairman since November 2016.

The appointment was confirmed at the SWLEP board meeting on March 25.

John, who joined the board in May 2015, oversaw several major projects during his tenure, including the establishment of business incubator spaces at Porton and Corsham and infrastructure projects such as the improvements on Junctions 15 and 16 of the M4 and the dualling of the A350 around Chippenham.

He also oversaw the launch of the Swindon & Wiltshire Growth Hub and the establishment of the annual conference, which attracts hundreds of business leaders. And he led the Network’s working group looking at LEP accountability and represented the SWLEP and the LEP Network at senior ministerial level within government.

His time in leadership has also involved steering the SWLEP through two major economic shocks: the 2018 Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury and, a year later, the announcement by Honda of the closure in 2021 of its Swindon production plant, with the loss of 3500 direct jobs and many thousands more in the supply chain.

John, who was South West Director of the Country Land & Business Association for more than a decade, will be staying in contact with the board as a technical advisor within the rural economy.

Paul, the CEO of Chipside, which provides digital ticketing and permitting services for local and national governments, has been a board member since 2019.

He will be charged with moving forward the Local Industrial Strategy, but says the coronavirus pandemic presents a more urgent challenge.

“My immediate task, alongside the board, is to ensure our area is resilient against the challenges that the current health emergency brings for our local economy, our local schools and businesses,” said Paul.

“Beyond this crisis, my aim is to ensure SWLEP works with the councils to build a sustainable future for the Swindon & Wiltshire area and as Chair it is my priority to make sure that happens.”

“Chipside is proud to have its home in Wiltshire amongst a community of pioneering businesses. The region truly represents the best of Great British innovation and the opportunities for its future growth are boundless.”

Paddy Bradley, director of SWLEP, said: “We would like to thank John enormously for his dedication and passion for all things SWLEP and wish him well and we are very much looking forward to working with Paul in his new role as chairman.”

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