It is an exciting time for the East Midlands. A Freeport bid has been approved by the Government and a business case for the Freeport, known as the East Midlands Global Gateway, will be the primary task of a newly formed Freeport Board.
The Freeport comprises sites at and adjacent to East Midlands Airport (the primary customs site), at Ratcliffe-on-Soar and the East Midlands Intermodal Park in South Derbyshire.
The Freeport Board is following Government guidance in having a private-sector majority with the relevant local authorities also represented.
Supported by Leicestershire County Council as the Accountable Body, the Board will oversee the coordination of the different strands of activity within the setup phase (e.g. business case development, tax/custom authorisation) that will be required to achieve formal designation as a Freeport.
Applications are now sought for an Independent Chair of the Freeport Board to act on an interim basis.
Candidates should have senior executive level private sector experience, knowledge of the benefits of Freeports; and a real appreciation of the regional, national and international opportunities offered by the Freeport.
The Independent Chair of the Freeport Board would be expected to provide leadership to the Board, ensuring the effective operation of the Board and its meetings.
The Chair would be expected to support the full engagement of all Board Members within the tasks for which the Board will oversee and, where appropriate, engage with and communicate to stakeholders beyond the Board during the course of the setup phase.
Any interest in the position along with a supporting CV should be sent to Marcus Richards of EY by seven days (19 May) after the publication of this news story.
EY has been commissioned by the Accountable Body to assist in the management of the Freeport programme in its business case stage.
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