The positions will become vacant this year when a number of existing directors come to the end of their six-year terms.

Since its establishment in 2011, the LEP has developed a £500million investment pipeline to support its mission to deliver better jobs and prosperity across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. [Take this with a pinch of salt … it is LEP member companies rather than the LEP board]

The business led partnership includes representatives of the private sector, local authorities, universities and colleges.

It is now looking for candidates with a strong business background at a senior level, with the skills and vision to help shape the economic prosperity of the area.

LEP chairman Steve Hindley, of Midas Group, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for local business leaders to actively contribute to the next phase of our development and benefit our economy and communities.

“If you are a business or social economy leader with passion and expertise, please contact HotSW LEP with a view to joining us on our journey towards delivering prosperity for Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.”

The non-executive directors will be required to attend board meetings once every two months and periodic meetings or events across Devon and Somerset.

You will possess credible business links and relationships in our area, ideally including working at a senior level alongside or with business representative organisations, business growth or skills partnerships and / or relevant business support service businesses or voluntary or social enterprise groupings.

You will have senior / owner level business experience within one of the HotSW area’s largest business sectors (such as Business Services, Tourism or Agriculture) or in a growth sector identified in our Smart Specialisation strategy (such as Marine, Aerospace, New nuclear, Agri-tech, Environmental Technologies, Big-data, High Tech / Manufacturing industries). Housing, transport, innovation, people, environmental, health or rural agendas as well as commercial and infrastructure development also form key focuses for our work and would be an equally valuable background.

Throughout the Selection Process, you will be required to provide relevant examples of where you can contribute to the needs of the LEP and its sub-committees (as outlined above) by bringing your expertise to the NED role and so demonstrate the specific value you can bring to the LEP.

You will have a proven track record of organisational leadership and experience of being a Board Member or in a leadership role of a private sector business or social enterprise that is significant in its field or of having actively contributed to a business representation organisation or voluntary or social enterprise groupings.

You will have a demonstrable association or interest with the HotSW economy and act with a collaborative approach able to develop and maintain effective business relationships to deliver strategic vision.

You will possess a strong political acumen with a clear understanding of both local and national politics to help promote the HotSW LEP.

In addition to the above we will be looking for 2 specific directors with experience of:

Chairing audit committees and managing risk, large projects, transformational change or programme finances