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Academic leading light appointed to EEDA board
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Academic leading light appointed to EEDA board
30 November 2009
An academic leading light from the region, Professor Colin Riordan, is to become a board member of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA).
Representing the education sector, Professor Riordan brings extensive experience in higher education to the EEDA board, whose role is to improve the economy of the East of England. He takes up his appointment on 14 December 2009 and will serve on EEDA’s board for three years.
Another EEDA board member, Karen Livingstone, has had her term of appointment extended for a further year. She represents trades unions on the board.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Essex since 2007, Professor Riordan has been instrumental in driving forward the University’s ambitious growth plans. These include setting up the Essex Business School, the new university facilities at Southend, which EEDA has also funded, as well as re-launching the Knowledge Gateway Research Park. An expert in German language and culture, he was previously Pro Vice Chancellor at Newcastle University and Head of the School of Modern Languages.
Richard Ellis, EEDA chair said:
“I welcome Colin’s appointment to the EEDA board. His wealth of experience in the higher education sector and his leadership abilities in new and innovative projects will be essential in helping us improve the skills base in the East of England and support local businesses.”
“Tackling the skills disparities across the region is such an important issue for the region’s economic well-being. We know that strategic investments in skills in Southend, as well as Ipswich and Peterborough, make a massive difference to the economy and local aspirations. We continue to work hard to create new opportunities for local people and businesses, such as the recent announcement of funding for a new university campus in Harlow.
“We have worked closely with Professor Riordan on the Southend university facilities, where student numbers have doubled, hundreds of businesses have received support and, as a direct result, there has been investment of £40 million in the High Street from private retail.
“I also welcome the extension of Karen Livingstone’s appointment and am very grateful for her invaluable contribution over the last few years to our mission of improving the economy of the East of England.”
The announcement was made today by Rosie Winterton, Minister for Regional Economic Development and Co-ordination at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and was welcomed by Barbara Follett, Regional Minister for the East of England.
Barbara Follett said:
"Colin Riordan's appointment is good news for the economy of the East of England. We need experts like him on our Development Agency’s Board to challenge and shape its vital work. Skills and education are one of the biggest issues facing this region. We have to urgently raise the aspirations of our young people and upgrade the skills of our workforce if we want to continue to compete in an increasingly well qualified world market. I look forward to working with Colin Riordan in these crucial areas."
Professor Colin Riordan said:
“I am delighted to be appointed as a member of the EEDA board. I have worked with EEDA on the Gateway building and Clifftown studio projects in Southend and I know the crucial value of partnership working to the success of these investments.”
“I look forward to using my skills to help to bring businesses and academia closer together for the benefit of innovative companies, employees and the region’s status as a hub for ideas.”
Richard added:
“By ensuring that businesses in the region have access to a well-qualified workforce with the appropriate skills, we can drive the economy to the upturn. Supporting the future growth sectors such as bioscience, digital communications and green technologies, is one of our main priorities over the next few years to maintain the region’s global competiveness.”
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