Chairman steps down from enterprise partnership serving Brighton and Hove

The founding chairman of the local enterprise partnership (LEP) that serves Brighton and Hove has resigned after three years in the job.

John Peel, 71, helped to set up the Coast to Capital LEP – also known as C2C. It serves West Sussex, the “Gatwick Diamond”, Croydon and Lewes as well as Brighton and Hove.

C2C is now advertising for an experienced business leader to take over from Mr Peel.

It said: “This is an exciting and challenging opportunity for an experienced business leader to play a key role in influencing economic development and business growth in our region.”

Mr Peel said: “These past three years have been challenging and some of the most satisfying of my career.

John Peel

“To have been the first chairman of Coast to Capital has been an enormous privilege.

“Much has been achieved and I feel I can resign on a high note, with Coast to Capital having established a reputation as one of the leading LEPs in the country with a strong plan in place for the future.”

C2C chief executive Ron Crank said: “On behalf of the Coast to Capital board, our team and partners, I wish to thank John for his insightful leadership and support during his tenure as chairman of our board.

“He was instrumental in the establishment of the LEP and he will be a very hard act to follow.”

Mr Peel spent 18 years as managing director of the radiotherapy equipment manufacturer Varian Medical Systems, retiring in 2005.

The business grew more than twentyfold during his tenure and went from loss-making to profitable.

He has also been involved with a number of public sector and voluntary organisations in senior roles, including Central Sussex College and the Sussex Community Foundation.