Backing for plan to create body to fill Yorkshire Forward void

The new community interest company will step into the void left by the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward, which is facing abolition under the coalition Government.

The new company, the Yorkshire Enterprise Partnership (YEP), will work with the forthcoming local enterprise partnerships (LEPs) on bids for public funding for projects. YEP wants to take responsibility for projects involving innovation, inward investment, access to finance and economic intelligence.

The company's backers, led by businessman and Yorkshire Forward board member Barry Dodd, believe these functions are best performed at a pan-Yorkshire level.

They want to be able to use Yorkshire's internationally known brand to promote the region as an attractive place for investors and enterprise.

Irwin Mitchell, the national law firm based in Sheffield, will establish the company as a legal entity on a pro-bono basis, said Mr Dodd, chief executive of Wetherby-based manufacturing company GSM Group.

Kevin Cunningham, a partner at the firm, said: "We think the community interest company is vital for the region and are delighted to support it in this way."

Mr Dodd said the company is already attracting secondees from the private and public sector, including John Holmes, the former chief executive of axed regeneration quango, Hull Forward.

YEP has already started discussing some projects with those behind the proposed Leeds City Region LEP.

Alongside Irwin Mitchell, other backers for YEP include accountancy firm KPMG, Associated British Ports, engineering consultancy Arup, the CBI, manufacturers' organisation EEF and Grant Thornton.

Coalition ministers Eric Pickles and Vince Cable have received bids from local authorities and businesses across Britain to set up LEPs which will replace regional development agencies.

The Yorkshire Post has called for a Yorkshire-wide body that champions the cause of Yorkshire and fights for new investment.