Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has a new executive director.

Vinita Nawathe is an experienced senior executive and non-executive who enjoys working at the interface of the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Having become an independent consultant in 2013 offering interim management, strategy and policy development advice, she has helped develop local economic strategy for Local Enterprise Partnerships and Local Authorities in the South West and has had senior interim roles – including an stint as interim director at Dorset LEP.

Vinita also spent seven years as Managing Director of South West Observatory and was previously Policy and Research Director of Passenger Focus (now Transport Focus). She is a board member of Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA), an independent governor of Bath Spa University where she sits on the Finance and Infrastructure and Investment portfolio committees and a board member (formerly chair) of TravelWatch SouthWest.

Vinita will guide the implementation of Dorset LEP’s 2022/2023 Delivery Plan which focuses on renewed priorities of business-led economic insight and activity for productivity-led growth.

About her appointment, Vinita said: “I am very much looking forward to joining Dorset LEP in October. The P in LEP is paramount for me. A strong local partnership collectively focused on securing prosperity for our area is key, particularly in challenging economic times.”

Chair of Dorset LEP, Cecilia Bufton, said: “We are delighted to welcome Vinita back to Dorset LEP. Her extensive high-level economic policy and strategy experience will be vital in helping us to achieve our ambitions for the coming year, particularly in a changing political landscape.

“Vinita’s expert knowledge of both local authority priorities and business needs will help to focus our delivery further and strengthen our relationship with our public and private sector partners to reinvigorate Dorset’s economy.

“I would like to also take this opportunity to thank Dr Corrina Osborne for her outstanding commitment and leadership as Interim Director, overseeing the successful delivery of our £11.8m Getting Building Fund capital investment programme and working with the board to respond to national LEP policy developments, helping us to re-focus and revitalise our plans to enable the voice of business to be represented locally.”

The role of business in shaping local economies has been recognised by government and local authority partners. This appointment reaffirms Dorset LEP’s commitment to bringing public and private sectors together to attract investment, support business growth, encourage innovation and provide opportunities for people to acquire the skills they need to succeed.