Regenerate Pennine Lancashire appoint new chairman

Regenerate Pennine Lancashire has appointed Tim Webber, Managing Director of Pendle based Development Company Barnfield Construction Ltd, as their new chairman.

Tim will lead Regenerate’s board of directors, who make decisions on the company’s direction and how it will work to help grow Lancashire’s economy. The company’s governance is made up of both public and private sector representatives, including elected members from Pennine Lancashire’s Local Authorities – Lancashire County Council and the Borough Councils of Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale.

Tim’s experience includes four years on the Board of Directors for the Lancashire Economic Partnership. He also won the Lancastrian of the Year Award in 2010.

Tim succeeds previous chairman Dennis Mendoros, who is the Managing Director of Kelbrook based Aerospace firm Euravia, who has been chair since 2009. During Dennis’ time as chair, Regenerate successfully bid for £16.5m of the Regional Growth Fund to help Lancashire business access grants between £5k and £1m for growth projects. They also began delivering programmes to help businesses start and grow as part of Boost Business Lancashire, the £7.2m Lancashire Growth Hub.

Tim said he was relishing the challenge of the new role:

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help influence opportunities for Lancashire businesses, which will help them grow and create jobs for local people. All members of the board have a real drive to make a difference to the business landscape. The partnership between the councils and the private sector helps ensure challenges are overcome so that businesses can access support faster.”