Dr Richard Hutchins announced as new Managing Director for Oxford to Cambridge Partnership

Dr Richard Hutchins

The new Oxford to Cambridge Partnership brings together the region’s leaders to pursue shared interests in realising economic potential in ways that are environmentally responsible and benefits local communities.

The Partnership’s role is champion the region as world leader in innovation and business, acting to achieve environmentally sustainable and inclusive growth. It will be a strong convening force, strengthening cross-boundary collaboration among its partners, to accelerate solutions to tackle the most pressing economic and environment challenges.

Dr Richard Hutchins will join as Managing Director from 1 June 2023.

Welcoming Richard to the Partnership, Cllr Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, Board member and part of the recruitment panel said, “The panel were impressed by Richard’s experience and are confident that he will be able to help us achieve our goal of managing the economic growth that is happening across the Pan Regional Partnership area to make it sustainable and inclusive.”

Professor Alistair Fitt, Vice Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, Chair of the Arc Universities Group, and representative on the Partnership Board added, "it's an exciting time. The PRP is really up and running now and Richard is the perfect person to help us to turn ambition into reality.”

Richard Hutchins brings extensive experience working with regional boards and large-scale partnerships. He brings expertise in leading successful inward investment programmes and has an impressive understanding of the innovation opportunities for the Oxford to Cambridge region and the value of public-private partnerships in delivering environmentally sustainable growth and development.

Richard Hutchins said, “I’m really excited to be joining the Partnership at this time as we press ahead to support local and pan-regional partners to deliver environmentally sustainable economic and social priorities. I recognise that a huge amount of work has already gone into getting the Oxford to Cambridge Partnership to where it is today. Now we have a wonderful opportunity to accelerate our work together.

“I look forward to meeting everyone and listening to your thoughts and ideas very soon.”

Peter Horrocks CBE, SEMLEP’s Chair and Board member representing the region’s LEPs, said “Richard has exactly the right mix of private and public sector experience to drive economic success for the people of the partnership's region.”

The Oxford to Cambridge Partnership is currently operating in shadow form, pending the recruitment of an Independent Chair. The Partnership is expected to announce the appointment of its Chair and new non-executive directors in June.

For more information about the Oxford to Cambridge Partnership, please visit the information page: https://www.oxford-cambridge-partnership.info