Two New Board Members for Education and Business Recruited at SEEDA

Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, today announced two new appointments to the board of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, today announced two new appointments to the board of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

Imtiaz Farookhi and William Wakeham will take up their three-year appointments on 14 December 2004, representing Business and Education sectors respectively.

Jacqui Smith said: “I am confident these ‘champions of the region’ will use their considerable skills and experience to make a strong contribution to the work of SEEDA, whose role is boosting productivity and creating jobs and prosperity for everyone in the South East.”

Jim Brathwaite, SEEDA Chairman said: “The South East England Development Agency’s board has a vital role to play in driving forward the economic regeneration of the South East, and I now look forward to working with our two new members. These appointments will maintain the high quality of our Board, and I have every confidence that their knowledge and experience will make a valuable contribution to the region. I would like to thank our outgoing members for their hard work and commitment to SEEDA.”

RDA board posts attract a remuneration of £7,931 per year for a commitment of two days per month.

In 2003-04, SEEDA’s programmes helped create or safeguard more than 5,500 jobs across the region, supported 450 new businesses to survive 12 months or more and offered 58,000 people training and development. In regenerating the South East, SEEDA made 67 hectares of brownfield land ready for use.