New talent for Manchester

Andy Westwood, a key Government advisor, has been appointed as Director of Skills and Employment at Manchester’s Commission for the New Economy.

Andy, who advises the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has also worked as a special adviser at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and at HM Treasury, will join New Economy in January 2010.

Mike Emmerich, Chief Executive of the Commission for the New Economy said:

‘I am delighted that Andy with his extensive knowledge and expertise in employment and skills is joining the Commission for the New Economy. Unfortunately over the last 12 months we have seen substantial increases in unemployment combined with the longstanding need for us to address the major skills challenges in Greater Manchester. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we strengthen our leadership to address these critical issues through the implementation of innovative, effective and joined up programmes that will drive forward our sustainable economic growth ambitions.

‘One of the first jobs that Andy and his team will be addressing is developing and managing the recently awarded DWP £52million Future Jobs Fund contract, ‘New Jobs’, on behalf of AGMA and its public sector partners. New Jobs aims to create 8,000 new jobs and get those in long term unemployment back into work.’

Andy Westwood said:

‘We have a challenging but exciting time ahead of us driving forward our ambitions for Skills and Employment in Greater Manchester. Manchester’s pioneering Statutory City Region agreement with Government will provide even greater powers to address these issues in ways that best suit Manchester’s needs, making a real difference to the people who live and work here.’

ENDS

Notes for Editors

For further information and interview opportunities please contact:
Katie Ratican, 0161 238 4593

• Manchester’s Commission for the New Economy has been established to strategically co-ordinate the work in the field of economic development, employment and skills in the area of the ten AGMA Local Authorities (the Association for Greater Manchester Authorities, made up of the local authorities of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan).

• The Commission for the New Economy is one of seven such commissions created as part of the new governance arrangements for Greater Manchester recently ratified by its ten component authorities. Its operations are overseen by a private sector-majority board chaired by Mike Blackburn of BT, which includes most of the AGMA authority leaders. The others are health, public protection, planning and housing, transport, environment and improvement and efficiency.