Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has welcomed three new influential business leaders to its board of directors.
Joining the LEP – Dorset’s business-led public and private sector partnership – are Nick Brook, Nick Gaines and Paul Read.
These highly experienced board members will help Dorset LEP drive forward its £234 million programme to boost local economic growth and prosperity.
Chair of Dorset LEP Board, Jim Stewart, said: “We are delighted to welcome the new recruits to our board and look forward to drawing on their business acumen to help boost Dorset’s economy.
“This is an exciting time to be joining Dorset LEP as we look forward to releasing ambitious plans for increasing productivity in the county.
“We have also recently celebrated the Government’s announcement for stronger support for LEPs and their work.
“The appointment of these new private sector board members will be a great asset to both Dorset and the LEP.”
Nick Brook, Chief Executive of Inca Group, brings with him more than 20 years’ experience managing financial services businesses, covering fintech, hedge funds, investment banking, and wealth and asset management.
During his years in this sector, Nick has run and opened businesses in Asia and Europe. He also spent 15 years at investment banking group UBS. 
Joining Nick on the board is Nick Gaines, Managing Director of Ultra Electronics Energy, which manufactures sensors and electronics for aerospace, nuclear and other safety-critical industries. Ultra Electronics has factories in Ferndown, Weymouth, Portchester in Hampshire and Austin in Texas.
Prior to joining Ultra Electronics in 2012, Nick held a variety of senior roles in major automotive, airport and energy businesses.
And fellow new board member Paul Read brings a wealth of housing and development experience.
As Head of Development and Sales at Magna Housing, Paul helps to oversee Magna’s 8,500 rental homes and 350 shared ownership homes. Working primarily in house building, Paul has more than 25 years’ experience of attracting funds into Dorset to deliver significant levels of new housing.
Nick Brook said: “Dorset is a wonderful place to live and has a broad, diverse and highly successful, competitive economy. I am both delighted and honoured to be able to contribute to the LEP’s significant, wide-ranging program to continue to improve the quality of life and economic development of our marvellous county.”
And Nick Gaines added: “Manufacturing and high tech industries are a key sector in Dorset and integral to our future growth. The LEP is opening up new opportunities for these areas of our economy.”
Paul Read said: “It’s an honour to be joining Dorset LEP, which recognises housing development is crucial. For Dorset to prosper, we need the infrastructure and the right forms of housing in place for the people to live and work here.”
Dorset LEP receives funding to support and deliver projects of long term economic benefit for all in Dorset.
Its board of directors consists of business leaders from different sectors, local authority representatives, and Higher and Further Education sector representatives. Their priority is to strengthen Dorset’s economic environment and help businesses to thrive.
Dorset LEP Board members are not remunerated but can claim reasonable travel expenses if travelling on LEP business.
