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MEET THE GFIRST TEAM

Dr Diane Savory OBE Chair

Diane is the Chair of GFirst LEP and represents Gloucestershire as part of the Future High Streets Forum. Diane was awarded an OBE in recognition of her work with GFirst LEP and her contribution to business in 2013.

With a passion for fashion, Diane rapidly progressed through the Superdry ranks to become its Chief Operating Officer, transforming the company from a small, local enterprise to the now-distinctive global fashion retailer that is Superdry.

David Owen Chief Executive

David is Chief Executive of GFirst LEP, one of the most successful Local Enterprise Partnerships in the country. He is also a Trustee of The Summerfield Charitable Trust, on the Investment Panel for the digital services company JISC and a NonExec Director of the training and business development company, Gloucestershire Enterprise Ltd. GFirst LEP was established in 2011 to develop and support the economic well-being of Gloucestershire. David has been Chief Executive since its inception and continues to be a driving force in the economic development of an overall strategy plan for Gloucestershire.

Rob Jenkins

Head of Education and Skills

Elizabeth looks after our business groups, which represent over 120 companies and thousands of employees in Gloucestershire, ensuring that the business community is always heard, striving forward and delivering for the county with one voice.

Elizabeth.weaver@gfirstlep.com

Rob is leading the Education and Skills Team in engaging and connecting schools and colleges with business and industry across Gloucestershire. The Education and Skills Team are seeking out new opportunities and funding streams to meet future skills needs for the county and ensuring that the business voice is heard clearly in the education and employment sectors.

Rob.jenkins@gfirstlep.com

Katie Jenkins

Director of Local Industrial Strategy

Katie is leading the development of the Local Industrial Strategy for Gloucestershire; the paper will become a blue print for the county when the next phase of Government funding is announced.

Katie.jenkins@gfirstlep.com

Chris Lau Head of Inward Investment

Chris heads up the newly formed Inward Investment team for the county. The role of the Inward Investment team is to support both existing and new, foreign direct investment into the county by promoting the offer of Gloucestershire as a great place to set up an international business.

Chris.lau@gfirstlep.com

Dev Chakraborty

Deputy Chief Executive

Dev manages a number of the teams within GFirst LEP – Business Groups, Marketing, Infrastructure Projects and the Local Industrial Strategy. So an average day can involve; chairing the LEP’s Cyber Business Group, drafting a press release, representing the LEP at strategic meetings with local authority partners or deputising for David.

Dev.chakraborty@gfirstlep.com

Sarah Danson

Director of Strategic Growth

Sarah is working to build the capacity and capability of our Gloucestershire Growth Hub Network and business support activity within the county; she is also responsible for the newly created GFirst LEP Mentoring Services Programme and the Inward Investment Team.

Sarah.danson@gfirstlep.com

Jessica Gray

Marketing Manager

Jessica looks after all online and offline marketing activity for GFirst LEP, she is the custodian of the brand. The LEP website, social media, press releases and events all fall under Jess’s responsibility.

Jessica.gray@gfirstlep.com

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