THE Cardiff Capital Region City Deal team has launched the recruitment process for the first chairman of the Regional Economic Growth Partnership.

The REGP, which is currently being established, will directly advise the CCR regional cabinet, and will be responsible for reviewing the regional economic strategy and advising on city deal investment proposals. It will also have an advocacy role, promoting the region as a prime investment opportunity and visitor location.

The successful candidate will lead the partnership, chair board meetings, collate the views of stakeholders, and communicate and represent the recommendations of the partnership to the CCR regional cabinet.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, chairman of the CCR regional cabinet and leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, said: “Establishing the REGP is a key commitment in our city deal heads of terms. It will play a critical role in looking at the decisions we make, and provide a different perspective from private, public and third sector partners in assessing the effectiveness of our investment proposals.

“This is a central role for the whole city deal process and we need to ensure that we find a strategic thinker who understands the region and the challenges we face. It goes without saying that whoever takes on this role will need to be politically astute and understand the context of the REGP, be experienced at dealing with numerous stakeholders, and have an extensive network, across sectors, at senior leadership level."

The chairman will be appointed on a two-year fixed term basis with the maximum number of terms limited to two. The time commitment will average two days a month, though the level of commitment will fluctuate across the term. Appropriate expenses will be paid for the position. Deadline for applications is October 20, 2017.

The CCR City Deal is set to unlock significant economic growth across the CCR, which includes the ten local authorities of Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Torfaen and The Vale of Glamorgan.