South: New appointment for Thames Valley Berkshire LEP

Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed Robin Barnes as a non-executive member of its forum.
With 30 years' experience in banking, Barnes will represent the private sector.

A senior banker in the region for 20 years and currently RBS regional director for Solent and Thames Valley, he is also a previous chairman for Young Enterprise in Berkshire and has been both a Reading and Slough Chamber committee member over the years.

Barnes commented: “I want to see a vibrant growing business community and to secure a good long-term future for the next generation through education and by inspiring them to have a broad and open outlook to society and the world around them.

“I am firmly committed to the principles espoused by the LEP and supportive of its investment plans for the sub region.

"In my new role, I hope to bring the business community together in a way that engenders trust and a desire to assist one another to work on the achievement of a few simple goals, which are embedded in our Strategic Economic Plan. These include to make Thames Valley Berkshire an even more vibrant and attractive place to come and live and work; to strengthen the links between young people and business to improve their skills and readiness for work; and to broaden and freshen the business perspective.”

Steve Lamb, chair of Thames Valley Berkshire LEP, added: “We are delighted to welcome Robin to the LEP.  His appointment comes at a time when he will be able to help shape the next phase of development.

"His experience in finance will make him an invaluable asset as we continue to prepare our submission to government for local growth fund investment, which will help us to meet the targets of our Strategic Economic Plan.”