The chief executive of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, Sandra Rothwell, has announced her intention to step down from the post at the end of March.

Sandra will also step down from her role as service director for economic growth at Cornwall Council, a position she has held jointly with the LEP post since 2016.

The LEP will shortly begin a recruitment process for an interim chief executive with a view to making a permanent appointment later this year. This role will continue to be combined with the service director post at the council.

Sandra said: “After over 15 years in economic development in Cornwall working in partnership between the public and private sectors, including seven with the LEP since its inception, I’ve decided that the time is right to strike out and do something new.

“I truly believe we are on the cusp of transformational change in our economy and I have huge confidence that our passionate business community, combined with the strong partnership we have in place at the LEP and the council, will take those opportunities forward now and in the future.”

Chair of the LEP, Mark Duddridge, paid tribute to Sandra, saying: “Sandra has been instrumental in the economic development landscape in Cornwall for many years – more recently getting the LEP in a leadership position with many aspects of Government. That is a huge achievement.

“Today Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are in a strong position - evidenced most recently by our widely welcomed '10 Opportunities' prospectus. We are well-placed to deliver the UK’s first Spaceport, which itself is linked to two successful enterprise zones; we are about to be the first non-metropolitan area to launch our own business investment fund, and we were evidenced as a leading player in the recent industrial strategy and work and health green paper by Government.

“We will be sad to see Sandra go, but we wish her all the best. She will be leaving the LEP with a clear sense of purpose and a strong team committed to the continued growth of our economy.”

Bob Egerton, planning and economy portfolio holder at Cornwall Council, said: “Sandra has been a champion of economic development for her entire career and for some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK. She has played a key role in laying the foundations for future economic growth in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and we will continue to work closely with the LEP and the wider business community to make those opportunities a reality.”