A LONG-STANDING board member at Marches Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has been named as the new deputy chairman.

Sonia Roberts will take on the role, which will see her tasked with growing the regional economy across Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford & Wrekin.

Mrs Roberts has served as the community and voluntary sector champion on the board since 2015, and is also chairman of the LEP’s performance, risk and monitoring committee.

She succeeds Telford Business Board chairman Paul Hinkins, and described her appointment as an honour.

She said: “It is an honour to have the deputy chair baton passed on from Paul.

“His impact on the board and the LEP’s role in the region has been significant and I am very much looking forward to continuing to work closely with him and the rest of the LEP Board.

“I’m focused now on how the LEP can continue to positively influence the economic growth and recovery of the Marches region, in particular as we emerge from the impact of Covid-19 and how this has affected those with long-term challenges that impact their access to employment.”

Mandy Thorn, Marches LEP chairman, congratulated Mrs Roberts on her appointment and paid tribute to Mr Hinkins for his service.

She said: “Sonia has a wealth of experience across a diverse range of business sectors and has carved out a particular specialism in the voluntary sector where she focuses on the needs of those with complex health and learning needs to access training and employment.

“As we continue to focus on the economic recovery and on-going growth of the Marches region, this insight into important aspects of skills, training and employment will prove invaluable and I am looking forward to working even more closely with Sonia.

“I am fortunate to have worked closely with Paul for a number of years and his contribution as the deputy chair of the Marches LEP can’t be underestimated.

After 20 years in the fashion industry, Mrs Roberts made the decision to move into the voluntary sector.

She has since spent the last 12 years as Charity Manager at Landau, an organisation focused on providing those with learning/physical disabilities, mental health or long-term health issues, the long-term unemployed and young people, with the skills and support they need to find sustainable employment.

During her time in this role she has developed the charity from a £200k to £3.4m turnover business and increased its geographical reach across the region.