Anne Selby, Lord Peter Smith and John Stageman will all take up their three-year appointments on 14 December 2008 until 13 December 2011. Brenda Smith’s appointment has been extended for 1 year until 13 December 2009.
Pat McFadden said:
“I am delighted to be appointing Dr John Stageman, Brenda Smith, Lord Peter Smith and Anne Selby to the RDA Board for Northwest Regional Development Agency. They will bring valuable experience and knowledge to the work of the RDA. Their membership to the Board will be extremely important in the contribution they can make in supporting the national and regional economies through this exceptional economic period.”
Bryan Gray, Chairman of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, said: “The NWDA’s Board has a vital role to play in driving forward the economic regeneration of the region, particularly now, during this difficult economic climate.
I am pleased to welcome the appointments of Lord Peter Smith, Anne Selby and Dr John Stageman who will strengthen our Board with further expertise from both the public and private sectors. I am also very pleased that Brenda Smith's tenure has been extended for a further 12 months.
The diversity, knowledge and experience of our board members make a valuable contribution to the growth of the region and I look forward to continuing this success.”
Regional Development Agency Board Member posts attract a remuneration of £8,538 per year for a time commitment of a minimum of 2 days per month.
Length of appointment(s)
Anne Selby, Lord Peter Smith and John Stageman will take up their three-year re-appointments on 14 December 2008 until 13 December 2011.
Brenda Smith has had her appointments extended for one year, until 13 December 2009.
The appointments have been made to the Board of the Northwest Development Agency. The RDAs are business-led organisations, and provide strategic leadership to promote economic development, enterprise and regeneration in their regions, tackling economic differences within their regions as well as driving up the performance of the regions as a whole.
Work the new board members will be involved in
The board members join the NWRDA at a time where the focus is very much on responding to the current economic downturn. They will be involved in working closely with regional and local partners; and businesses to ensure that the region emerges from the downturn in a strong position and is able to sustain its long term target and goals.
Appointments being made in accordance with OCPA Code of Practice
The original appointments were made following open competition in accordance with the requirements set down in the Commissioner for Public Appointments Code of Practice. All appointments are made on merit and political affiliation plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public.
Response to the political activity response questionnaire, including none declared
Anne Selby and John Stageman have undertaken no political activity during the past five years. Lord Peter Smith has been leader of Wigan Council since 1991.
Response to other ministerial public appointments held and any related remuneration received. [NB: If no remuneration is received with their public appointment this should be stated, and if no appointments are held this should also be clearly stated].
Anne Selby, Peter Smith, John Stageman and Brenda Smith do not hold other Ministerial appointments
A brief summary of the appointees career and experience (biographies)
Anne Selby
Chief Executive Officer of The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and Merseyside. Anne Selby has worked in the voluntary sector for over 20 years, and has been involved in regional working for the last eight years, mainly as a member of the North West Regional Assembly (and now the new Regional Leaders Forum.) She chairs North West Environment Link, a partnership of all environmental voluntary sector organisations in the region. She also holds a seat on the Regional Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (REPAC).
She holds no other Ministerial appointments
Lord Peter Smith
Leader of Wigan Council since 1991, Lord Peter Smith currently chairs both the new Regional Leaders’ Forum and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities. He also chaired the North West Regional Assembly from 2000 -2001 and has been on the board of Manchester Airport since 1986.
He lectured in economics and government from 1969 until 2000, and was first elected to Wigan Council in 1978.
John Stageman
Was responsible for developing AstraZeneca’s competitive biopharmaceutical strategy, leading to the acquisition of Cambridge Antibody Technology and of MedImmune. After a period in a transitional role as General Manager of Cambridge, John has recently returned to the North West as Vice President of UK Science Affairs. He has been a member of the North West Science Council since its inception in 2002, and a member of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council since May 2008, and is an Honorary Professor in Life Sciences at the University of Manchester.
Brenda Smith
Brenda Smith was latterly President EMEA of Ascent Media Group and formerly Deputy Chairman of Granada Television until May 2006. Previously she was Managing Director of Granada Television until May 2004.
Brenda is also a board member of Central Manchester and Manchester Children’s University Hospitals and has chaired the Regional Marketing Forum since December 2002. Brenda's other roles include: a member of Visitor Economy Forum, a non-executive director of Manchester Airport Group, a member of the Board of Governors of Manchester University and a Board member of the Manchester International Festival.
Brenda holds no other Ministerial appointments and currently works in an advisory capacity to private equity and recruitment consultants.
