News

GFirst LEP are delighted to announce three new board members, entering 2023 with the backing of the county's most respected and valued business people.

• Jackie Labbe, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Gloucestershire
• Matt Lennard, Chief Officer at Gloucestershire VCS Alliance
• Lucy Ackland, Senior Engineer at Renishaw

Ruth Dooley, Chair of GFirst LEP, commented: 

We are thrilled to announce our three new board members and formally welcome Jackie, Matt and Lucy to GFirst LEP. Together, their experience brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to further strengthen our board as the independent business voice for Gloucestershire.

Their new roles have come at a pivotal time for GFirst LEP as we play our central part in the government’s Levelling Up and devolution agenda. The Government recognises the vital role LEPs play as we navigate the upcoming challenges our economy faces on a national and local scale.

I’d like to thank outgoing board members for their services; Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien plc who completed the maximum service on our board and Russell Marchant, former Vice-Chancellor and CEO at Hartpury University and Hartpury College who has now retired. 

David Owen, CEO of GFirst LEP. added: "We look forward to working with all our board members in 2023 and thank them for their continued support of GFirst LEP and Gloucestershire.”  

Hear from the new board members below.

Jackie Labbe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Gloucestershire

One of the prime missions of the University of Gloucestershire is to serve its region and to support and enable its growth and development. I'm very proud that I can bring this mission directly to the GFirst LEP Board, while also representing the interests of higher education in the region.

Favourite thing about Gloucestershire:

As a recent incomer to the county, I have fallen in love with the fantastic combination of city, town, village and countryside the region offers. Being able to see Cleeve Hill from almost any vantage point in Cheltenham, the amazing history represented by Gloucester and its creative approach to its redevelopment, and the general beauty of the area makes me very glad to live in Gloucestershire.

Matt Lennard, Chief Officer at Gloucestershire VCS Alliance

Taking on the role on the GFirst LEP Board gives me the opportunity to shine a light on the VCSE sector and demonstrate its worth and value as a key part of Gloucestershire’s economic makeup. I am incredibly proud to represent the VCSE and the work it delivers. Sitting on the GFirst LEP Board gives me the opportunity to strategically link the sector into the business community and position the sector as an equal partner.

Favourite thing about Gloucestershire:

The fact that the districts are so different from each other, it’s incredibly diverse in that respect. Each area has its own identity and sense of community. Gloucestershire offers up some incredible walks and the pubs are often very good too!

Lucy Ackland, Senior Engineer at Renishaw

I am proud to be a GFirst LEP Board member and be given the opportunity to represent the advanced engineering and manufacturing businesses in Gloucestershire. I am looking forward to working with the rest of the board in helping to promote Gloucestershire and to strengthen collaboration in the region.

Favourite thing about Gloucestershire:

Gloucestershire is a great place to grow your career with a wide range of specialist education and training facilities and different industries and businesses to work within.

Meet all GFirst LEP board members here: https://www.gfirstlep.com/about-us/the-board/