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BUSINESS
BOOST FOR SEEDA BOARD
1
November 2000
Business
expertise in the South East has been given a boost with the appointment
of two new Board Members for the South East England Development
Agency (SEEDA).
Both
with strong commercial backgrounds, the two appointees - Mary
McAnally, Managing Director of Meridian Broadcasting, and Dr Peter
Read CBE, former Chairman of the Hoechst Group of Companies in
the UK - will take up their responsibilities immediately.
The appointments
were made by the Minister for the Regions, Hilary Armstrong, as
a move to reinforce the business led profile of the Regional Development
Agencies (RDAs).
Welcoming
the appointments, SEEDA Chairman, Allan Willett CMG, said: "I
am very pleased that Mary and Peter will be bringing their extensive
experience of industry to SEEDA. Our ability to work with and
understand the issues facing the key business sectors in the South
East, is critical to us achieving our aim of making the South
East one of the top performing business regions in Europe.
"Both
of our new members will contribute specialist knowledge to strengthen
the SEEDA Board. Peter brings extensive experience from the world
of foreign multinational companies, which form such a large part
of the South East's economy. Mary brings her valuable experience
from the media arena, a truly high tech growth sector for the
South East. Both will be able to contribute a huge amount towards
SEEDA's goals."
Mary McAnally
said of her appointment: "I am delighted to be joining the
SEEDA Board. Creative and Media industries are strong economic
drivers for the South and I am keen to represent their point of
view at the highest level in SEEDA."
MF
Equally pleased,
Peter Read commented: "I am very pleased to accept this appointment.
SEEDA plays a key role in shaping the strategy for the region,
which, is a powerful dynamo in the national economy. While the
South East of England has great strengths it also has special
requirements for its future growth and prosperity in a competitive
environment. I hope to play my part in ensuring that it can continue
to flourish."
Mary McAnally
has worked for the broadcast media industry for over 30 years
as a researcher, producer and director. A published writer on
consumer issues, she was a member of the National Consumer Council
from 1987 to 1997. She currently chairs SEEDA's Creative Industries
Task Force and is an appointed member of the Department of Culture,
Media and Sport's South East England Cultural Consortium, as well
as a member of the Government's Advisory Committee on Advertising.
Outside of work, she is a member of the All England Lawn Tennis
and Croquet Club and saw early success as a former British Junior
Indoor Tennis Champion, beating Virginia Wade in the final.
Medically
qualified, Peter Read has spent most of his professional life
in industry and is a past President of The Association of the
British Pharmaceutical Industry, a past Chairman of the Centre
of Medicines Research International and a former member of the
Council of The Chemical Industries Association. His current appointments
include: Non Executive Director of Celltech Group plc, and of
Vernalis Group plc, and Chairman of SEEDA's Sector Group on Pharmaceuticals
and Biotechnology. He is also active in the local Lords Taverners
and enjoys music, opera and sports.
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