Executives set to lead the way

SENIOR figures from the private sector in Oldham are coming together to add their expertise to the way economic policy is made in the borough.

The aim of the Oldham Business Leadership Group (OBLG) is to provide public policy makers with an understanding of the issues and challenges facing Oldham businesses, particularly focusing on the economic development of the borough and its position within the Manchester city region.

A total of 14 businessmen and women are giving their time for free and will be asked to use their commercial skills and knowledge to help ensure that economic policies produced by the Oldham Council and the Oldham Partnership are realistic and robust.

Sectors

Oldham Council chief executive Charlie Parker said: “The economic well-being of the borough is the responsibility of many different groups and organisations.

“To ensure that the policies are in the best interests of all sectors it is vital that we get the views of everyone who can provide useful advice and information.”

Dave Benstead, a director of Diodes Semiconductors, Chadderton, is to chair the group.

He said: “Oldham has some very successful business people with a great deal of experience who can make a significant contribution to the policies that will help secure a prosperous future.

“OBLG provides a forum where local business leaders, Oldham Council and Oldham Partnership can work together effectively.”

The OBLG group currently comprises:

Dave Benstead; William Lees-Jones, group managing director of J W Lees Brewery; Ken Collett, manufacturing director of Money Controls plc; Pam Pelham, managing director of AMP Wire; Peter Greenhalgh, managing director of DCT Civil Engineering Ltd.

Gavin Wheeldon, chief executive of Applied Language Solutions; Mike Braddock, managing director of Secure Options Group; Phil Wiggett, managing director of Wiggett Group; Nigel Newton, managing director of Clarke Telecom; Jeremy Broadbent, chief executive officer of The Johnson Group.

Lee Crook, NatWest director of business and commercial banking; Mike Lindley, strategic director of Madeleine Lindley Ltd; Nick McGilvray, managing director of Thorpe Whyman and Briggs Architects; Michael Bennett, managing director of Pelican Public Relations.