Principal leads LEP’s new Futures Forum

The head of Furness College is calling on young people to get involved in a new initiative to map out the county’s economic future.

Principal and Chief Executive Andrew Wren will chair the Futures Forum, which has been established by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) as a shadow board for 18-35 year olds to give their views on economic growth.

The forum, comprising of 12 members, will look at the key issues facing the county and develop proposals for consideration by the partnership board and other governance bodies.

Mr Wren, who is the LEP’s diversity champion, will lead the forum until one of the members is appointed as chair.

“I am delighted to be leading on the development of the Futures Forum, which will make sure that our young people are actively involved in shaping Cumbria’s economy,” he said. “It is really important that those with the longest-term stake in Cumbria are influencing the LEP’s decisions and taking forward those issues most important to younger people. I am very keen that the membership reflects all of the communities that we serve”.

Applications are open now and members must live or work in Cumbria and have a strong interest in all aspects of the economic growth agenda. They will be drawn from across Cumbria and from the public, private and voluntary sectors, with a priority to ensure that membership is inclusive, diverse and fully representative of Cumbria’s geography.

Jo Lappin, Cumbria LEP Chief Executive, said: “The formation of the new Futures Forum is the final and important piece in CLEP’s governance structure – creating a body that really brings the views of Cumbria’s future leaders forward. There has already been a great deal of interest in the Forum and we look forward to receiving some excellent applications”.

Members of the new Forum will be asked to commit one day per month with a length of appointment of 18-24 months. There will be an opportunity for a further period of appointment for those who wish to continue and remain eligible.

Those who would like to apply are invited to send a CV and covering letter to info@thecumbrialep.co.uk, detailing why they want to join the Futures Forum, what they will personally bring to it and how they meet the following selection criteria:

• Live, work or study in Cumbria.
• Committed to and interested in Cumbria’s economy, socio-economic issues and the development of strategies to address these.
• Willing to reach out and engage with other young people to secure their views on issues relevant to the work of the Futures Forum.
• Committed to personal development and willing to participate in development opportunities.
• Willing to act as a brand ambassador for CLEP, promoting the views and issues of concern to young people to wider audiences

Applications close at midday on Friday 29 November, with the aim to have the new Futures Forum operational in early 2020.