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SEMLEP appoints new CEO

17 March 2016

The man who has led Teesside’s regeneration development for the last five years has joined SEMLEP as its new Chief Executive.

Stephen Catchpole, a trained solicitor, will step into the new role from 4th April, 2016.  

Before taking up this new role Stephen worked as managing director of Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU) - Teesside’s Local Enterprise Partnership – and prior to that spearheaded the urban transformation of Wolverhampton as chief executive of the Wolverhampton Development Company.

Stephen, announcing his new appointment, said: “I am delighted to be taking on this pivotal role at SEMLEP. The South East Midlands is a broad and diverse area, at the heart of the UK and bursting with growth potential. I look forward to the challenges ahead and to getting out and about, meeting leaders, businesses and organisations.”

Dr Ann Limb CBE DL, Chair of SEMLEP, said: “Stephen has been a passionate ambassador for Tees Valley and we are excited to welcome him to the South East Midlands, where we are confident he will lead the SEMLEP team with expertise and energy and help shape deliver sustainable business growth across the South East Midlands.”

Under his leadership, TVU, one of the first LEPs in the country to gain Government approval in 2010, oversaw schemes to create thousands of jobs, boost skills and drive investment.

Before joining the Wolverhampton Development Company Stephen worked as chief executive of Cambridgeshire Horizons, chief executive of Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, chief executive of Cambridgeshire Learning and Skills Council, commercial property director for both Trafalgar House and Dixons and chief executive of Stevenage, Forest Heath District Council and Hinckley and Bosworth Councils.

Stephen added: “I live in Leicestershire so before joining SEMLEP I lived away from my family during the week.  Joining SEMLEP means the commute will be far shorter I will now enjoy living at home all week round. Fortunately my wife is happy with this too!”

Hilary Chipping, Acting Chief Executive at SEMLEP for the last six months, will now resume her role as Deputy Chief Executive.

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