AWM chief: No quick solution to Midlands' challenges
Sir Roy McNulty, the newly-appointed chairman of the West Midlands’ regional development agency, last night said he had “no instant answers” to the challenges facing the region.
His comments came as the 13-month process to find the new chairman of Advantage West Midlands (AWM) finally drew to a close with the announcement that the head of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will take the helm of the organisation tasked with supporting businesses in the region.
Sir Roy, who is due to step down from his position as chairman of the CAA in August, will take on the role of AWM chairman designate in June. He will shadow the current holder, Nick Paul, for three months to ensure a smooth handover before taking up the full three-year position on 1st September.
The announcement was made yesterday by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson. He said: “Sir Roy’s experience in business will be vital as AWM takes a lead role in steering the West Midlands economy through this difficult period.”
The £80,000-a-year three-day-a-week position will see Sir Roy, who has a background in aerospace, take charge of AWM at a time when businesses in the region are experiencing one of the toughest economic climates in many years.
Sir Roy said the first thing he intended to do in the role was familiarise himself with the challenges facing businesses in the West Midlands. He highlighted the banking and credit situation as the biggest difficulty at the moment.
He said: “I have a lot of familiarisation to do as anybody would coming into a job as challenging as this.
“My long-term vision remains the same as before - the same as set out in AWM strategy.
