Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU) has announced the appointment of leading industrialist Paul Booth OBE as Local Enterprise Partnership Chairman.
Chairman of SABIC UK Petrochemicals, Paul is replacing Sandy Anderson, who is stepping down having been TVU Chairman since 2010.
Councillor Sue Jeffrey, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, vice Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership and Chair of Shadow Tees Valley Combined Authority said:
“The TVU Leadership Board would like to thank Sandy, who has been an ardent and effective advocate for Tees Valley.
“His expertise and ability have led to a new-look economic landscape in Tees Valley and have helped strengthen the area’s industrial potency and its reputation for innovation.
“He leaves Tees Valley Unlimited in excellent shape to embrace the additional powers that are due to be devolved from Whitehall.”
Paul has worked in the chemical industry for 40 years. Born on Teesside, he started his career as an apprentice with ICI and is now Chairman of SABIC UK Petrochemicals as well as its European Director for Government Policy and Public Affairs.
He said: “In my expanded role at TVU, I am looking forward to helping accelerate the area’s economic performance through the attraction of business investment, transport infrastructure improvements and making sure that existing and future generations of workers have the skills required to meet the evolving needs of industry.”
Sue added: “As a board member of Tees Valley Unlimited, Paul already has been instrumental in driving forward TVU’s ambitions and plans to help Tees Valley’s industrial base diversify and prosper.
“His background will facilitate TVU’s engagement with potential investors, key stakeholders and those at the heart of Government to ensure that as many opportunities as possible are created for Tees Valley, its businesses and residents.
“His extensive business expertise and knowledge means that TVU can continue to build on the firm foundations created under Sandy Anderson’s stewardship.”
Paul is a member of the Chemical Industries Association Council, Chairman of the North East Process Industry Cluster and a Board Member for Plastics Europe North.
He has had a long and passionate interest in the training and development of people and, as a result, holds a number of non-executive positions outside SABIC.
This includes sitting on Teesside University’s Board of Governors and previous Board memberships of Redcar and Cleveland Technical College, the National Skills Academy and the TTE Technical Training Group.
Additionally, he has a deep interest in sustainability issues and is involved in a number of projects designed to ensure the long-term future of the chemical industry including being Honorary President for Society of Chemical Industry in the UK.
Paul has broad-based experience within the chemical industry, having worked in the Nylon, Polyester, Petrochemicals and service sectors. He also has significant global experience with his career taking him to Europe and the USA.
Sandy formerly held senior research, engineering and production positions at chemical giant ICI and was Chairman of Teesside University for ten years until 2014. He is Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Durham, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
Sandy was awarded a CBE in the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the Tees Valley.