Chris Pomfret, Chairman

Chris, who lives near Port Isaac, has a wealth of experience of working in business and industry, including senior executive roles at Unilever and a current position on the board of the Food Standards Agency. During his career he has worked in a number of marketing and wider management roles on a global, regional and national basis, including the business director responsible for the Birds Eye business in the UK with a retail value of over £700 million. Chris also tutors at Cambridge University on Sustainable development leadership.

"I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to be the first chairman of the LEP in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and I hope that I will be able to bring my experience to bear to ensure that the LEP delivers the best possible outcomes for our local economy" said Mr Pomfret.

I am now looking forward to getting the LEP up and running so that it can focus on delivering what is required; namely creating new jobs and a better environment for business growth. Although my business experience has not been based in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, I know the region intimately and my aim is to strike the right balance between understanding the good work that has already taken place, taking a fresh approach when required and developing further best practice where it already exists.

With the move to a unitary authority and the LEP initiative I think we have a unique moment in time to really focus on building, in partnership, the business sector that is so important for the future development of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and I believe strongly we have an opportunity to lead from the front. By working with local, regional, national, European and international partners, we can ensure that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly continue to be regarded as places where things happen and we can build on our past successes and confront future challenges."