[K]endal Futures, the town’s Regeneration Partnership, has announced several recent appointments to its Board.
Kendal Futures is working to deliver the Kendal Economic Growth Action Plan (KEGAP) which includes priorities and actions that will grow the local economy, fuel job creation and increase the wider Kendal’s long-term prosperity. It focuses on the drivers of business growth and job creation based on innovation, investment, infrastructure and skills.
Martyn Nicholson was elected as Chair of the Kendal Futures Board earlier this year and has since been working to strengthen the private sector representation and engagement on the Board. The Board is made up of 18 public, private and third sector representatives who all give up their time voluntarily. Board members are appointed to represent a nominating body or wider interest group within the town.
Recent appointments to the board include Julie Chapman from the Castle Green Hotel to represent tourism, James Todhunter of Napthen’s Solicitors who represents the town’s Young Professionals Group and Damian Bonsall from Inspira to represent schools. At the last meeting in December, Mark Cropper, Chairman of James Cropper PLC, was appointed to represent Kendal’s large employers while James Todhunter was elected as the Board’s Vice-Chair.
Martyn Nicholson, Chair of Kendal Futures said: “Our newer Board members have already become actively engaged in progressing our goals and aims. The mix of private and public sector representation on the Kendal Futures Board is very important as it ensures that our work and projects are well formed and based on a broad cross-section of knowledge and opinion. Our private sector members provide a business led voice which helps to inform our local authority representatives about their needs and concerns.”
Kendal Futures are the champions or ‘keepers’ of the KEGAP and lead its delivery but the actual delivery of many projects is completed by the Board’s partners.
Martyn Nicholson added: “Kendal Futures can’t grow the economy alone but our partnership approach has been successful as we’ve worked to achieve joint goals and aims while tackling barriers, blockages and assisting our partners in project delivery on the ground.”
James Todhunter said: “It has been a real privilege to have joined the Kendal Futures Board at such an important and exciting time. The group has a genuine desire to see Kendal grow in a sustainable and responsible way but also with some ambition and purpose. There are many projects planned where we, as enablers, hope to provide positive challenge and influence for the future prosperity of the town. The recent board appointments bolster private sector representation and provide a great mix of background and experience which will be invaluable.”
