It’s increasingly clear that the next few years will bring the county some different opportunities and challenges as we strive for stronger economic growth.

While exciting Growth Deal projects, like the recent completion of our work at Durranhill, and transport improvements like the recently announced A595 upgrades, continue to lay the platform for more economic growth, Cumbria LEP is recruiting for new private sector board members to help take forward our investment plans for more business support, skills and infrastructure developments.

We are looking for outstanding individuals who are passionate about business growth and the need to seize the economic opportunities on offer for our great county. These positions offer unique, challenging and rewarding opportunities for experienced, forward-thinking business leaders to influence key decisions for the prosperity of Cumbria’s economy. Their expertise will be crucial in providing strategic leadership, challenge, and insight.

While experience of our strategic economic plan sectors, priorities and drivers is essential, we’re especially keen to hear from applicants in the energy, nuclear, rural and tourism industries to maintain the right balance of skills and experience on our Board. A recruitment pack is available on the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership website (www.cumbrialep.co.uk).

We also recently welcomed the launch of the £400m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) as a new source of regional economic development funding to boost the local economy.

We have invested a share of Cumbria’s European investment funding in the initiative, together with nine other northern LEPs. Not many funds have its breadth and flexibility, with conventional loan, micro-finance and equity funds. We are now working with fund managers to ensure they have a physical presence in Cumbria to encourage high take up.

The Northern Powerhouse is very much taking centre stage, and we must ensure we are not on its periphery. The county’s energy offer in particular puts us in a strong position to make a major contribution to its success.

I recently represented Cumbria LEP at the UK Northern Powerhouse conference and chaired the main plenary session on energy. Many leading energy experts are predicting that the North will play a major role in future energy provision and reassert its role as the nation’s ‘powerhouse’ through a low carbon route.

Cumbria is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities presented by changing energy needs. Our ability to supply more energy will be critical to the local economy and the wider economic health of the North and the UK as a whole.

Whilst an established home to extensive nuclear capability, there are other growth opportunities too, for example in renewable power from off shore wind and tidal schemes, together with other forms of renewable energy generation.

With these capabilities, the energy sector in Cumbria can be an integral part of the national industrial strategy and play a crucial role in the success of the Northern Powerhouse.