David Barnes appointed to M3 Board
David (right) will commence his duties in the role in late November.
David has extensive knowledge of the Aerospace and Defence industry, a key sector in the Enterprise M3 area. He has been Chairman of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association (UAVS), Chairman of the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC), Autonomous Systems Steering Group and President of the Royal Institute of Navigation.
David was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Farnborough Aerospace Consortium in 2011 and before joining Thales, David has been a Director or Managing Director of a number of UK and foreign owned businesses.
Prior to joining the Aerospace and Defence industry, David was a serving as a Royal Air Force Group Captain, working as a Deputy Director in the Operational Requirements department of the Ministry of Defence. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
David, who is appointed alongside four other new Board members, brings a wealth of commercial expertise to the LEP and will be instrumental in ensuring Enterprise M3 delivers its strategic objective - driving economic success across the Enterprise M3 area. The role will include contributing to the setting of overall strategy, priorities and investment plans to support economic growth.
Geoff French, Chair of Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “We are delighted to have a business leader of David’s calibre joining the board. David’s experience in project oversight and corporate governance will prove invaluable as well as his knowledge around one of Enterprise M3 key sectors. He brings with him a wealth of experience and will be invaluable in facilitating links with the region’s key industries. We look forward to working closely with him.”
David Barnes, commented: “I am delighted to have this opportunity to use my extensive Defence and Aerospace background to assist Enterprise M3 in its aim to improve prospects for the growth and security of industry in the region. The M3 region has an exciting future in Aerospace and other high technology industries, and I am very fortunate to be able to contribute to it.”
This year, Enterprise M3 secured £118m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund for the delivery of ambitious projects covering infrastructure, skills and enterprise and innovation developments to support growth across the area. This includes £35m confirmed for 2015/16 that will support economic growth within the M3 corridor and see investment in key infrastructure projects across Surrey and Hampshire, capitalising on the skills and innovation in the Sci:Tech corridor.
This substantial investment from central Government for 2015/16 will bring forward significant additional investment from local partners, including the private sector. Combined, this will create a total new investment package of nearly £440m for the Enterprise M3 area. By 2021, this deal will create up to 8,000 jobs and unlock the development of up to 7,000 new homes.
