North East LEP chief executive Helen Golightly to step down

The longstanding chief executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Helen Golightly, has announced she is leaving the economic development body.

Ms Golightly, who has been with the LEP since 2012 and as its chief executive since 2015, said the job had been the privilege of her career but that it was time to spend time with family and travelling. In her time at the helm of the LEP, she has led efforts to deliver the North East Strategic Economic Plan which includes the ambition to create more and better jobs.

In an announcement of her departure, Ms Golightly said: "I am immensely proud of the team of incredible individuals we have brought together at the LEP. I can honestly say that they are the most dedicated, passionate, driven team I have ever worked with, and I’m excited to see what happens next as their collective passion to make a difference for others moves into the new Mayoral Combined Authority when it is formed on 7 May.

"Our journey to devolution has certainly been interesting, but together as a region, we have made it happen. I am proud of the part I have played in reaching this monumental point where our region unites as one, having secured the ambitious and historic deal. However, the time feels right for me to step away in May, and not be part of the new organisation.

"As a member of the region’s interim senior team for the new Mayoral Combined Authority, I am working closely with colleagues to ensure the region builds on the progress made to date by the North East Local Enterprise Partnership and that we are operationally ready from day one in May. I remain fully committed in supporting colleagues to do that. We have huge ambitions for the new organisation, and being ready to deliver from day one, whilst bringing five organisations together, has always been a critical part of the transition plan."

Lucy Winskell, chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: "Helen has been an outstanding public servant for the past 33 years and it has been an absolute privilege for me personally, to work with her so closely over the past four years. Not only have I learned so much from her, I have nothing but respect for her calm, inclusive and impactful leadership, something I know my fellow board members and LEP chairs before me, Andrew Hodgson and Paul Woolston, would be in complete agreement with.

"Helen’s contribution to the North East will be felt for many years to come, but today, I offer nothing but best wishes to her and her family, who mean so much to her, as they prepare to embark on this exciting next chapter in a few months’ time."

In November a report showed the LEP had missed its target to create 100,000 jobs over a 10-year period since 2014, but that efforts to create 'better' jobs had been more successful with professional and managerial professions across the region having increased by 82,100. There was acknowledgement that major, global economic shocks had weighed on the region's economy in that time. This year the LEP will cease to exist as it become part of the incoming North East mayoral authority.