Some of the most influential and
respected business figures from across Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough have been appointed to a new Business
Board to support the region's Local Growth Plan
(LGP) ambition to triple the size of its economy by
2050.
Shaun Grady, Chair of AstraZeneca UK,
will chair the Business Board.
The Board will bring together leaders
from the region's six priority sectors set out in the LGP:
life sciences, digital technologies, advanced manufacturing and
materials, defence, energy and clean-tech, and agri-food and
tech. These sectors represent the foundations of
the UK's future economic strength
and are Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's most powerful
strategic assets.
Members bring experience
from working across the region, including all
four of the
LGP's opportunity zones: Global
City Cambridge, Fens Growth
Triangle, North Hunts Growth Cluster, and
Peterborough Fast Growth
City.
The appointments were approved by the
Combined Authority Board this month following
nominations by Mayor .
The Business
Board will provide strategic advice
on emerging trends, barriers and
opportunities and support national
and international engagement to attract investment to
the region.
said: "I'm
unapologetically ambitious for the future
of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's economy. My goal
of tripling its size by 2050 demands the insight
and leadership of the very best business minds from
across our region working with us to make it
happen.
“The creation of the new Business
Board marks an important milestone for the Combined Authority.
It will bring together exceptional leaders
from our
priority sectors and opportunity
zones. They represent both the
breadth and strength of our economy across the whole
region.
"I am
excited to be working with them to grasp
the opportunities to accelerate our
growth.”
Shaun Grady, Chair of AstraZeneca UK,
said: “I am proud and
honoured to have been asked to chair the reformed Cambridgeshire
and Peterborough Combined Authority Business Board, which will
support the Mayor and the Authority to deliver on its ambitious
Local Growth Plan.
“The region is nationally and
internationally recognised as a dynamic hub across several
sectors, including life sciences, advanced manufacturing, and
digital technologies. The Business Board has the opportunity
to play a vital role in providing clear strategic
advice through our combined experience and knowledge, enabling
the region to unlock its true
potential.
“I greatly look forward to working
with the other Board members and local partners to help execute
the local plan, drive innovation, and create long-term,
sustainable impact for our communities and
economy.”
The new Business Board replaces
the previous Board established when
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) were merged into Combined
Authorities. Although government withdrew dedicated LEP funding
in 2025, it confirmed Combined Authorities
should maintain 'strong, independent, and
diverse local business voices' in
decision-making.
The new Board and its
appointments will take effect from 1 April
2026.
ENDS
Note to editors
Joining chair Shaun Grady on the
Business Board are:
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Local Growth Plan was approved by the Combined Authority Board in
October 2025 and sets out a Mayoral ambition to triple
the size of the region's economy by
2050.
Following a Mayoral Decision Notice in
May 2025, Business Board members do
not receive remuneration.
