Cheshire East appoints ‘business champion’

Cheshire East Council has appointed a new ‘business champion’ to help local firms and support economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cllr Sarah Pochin has been appointed to the newly-created role to support high street businesses, engage with SMEs, larger organisations and those facing unemployment across the borough.

She will support and advise cabinet members on the following:

• Regulatory and government policy to aid high street and town centre recovery across Cheshire East
• The promotion of the borough and appropriate support mechanisms to attract inward investment
• Development of the council’s commercial strategy and the commercial ventures
• Delivery of the rural action plan in relation to support to the rural economy in Cheshire East
• Delivering a sustainable and green economy in Cheshire East including the development of low carbon industry.

Together with the relevant cabinet members and officers, Cllr Pochin will engage with businesses and corporate representatives across Cheshire East, to successfully deliver agreed targets within approved timescales.

‘I am delighted to be given the opportunity to take on a vital role, as part of the council’s support for economic recovery,’ she said.

‘Our borough continues to face many challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. As business champion, I am looking forward to supporting the cabinet in taking this important agenda forward.

‘Aiding economic recovery is a necessity, to attract new investment and develop our rural and green economies. I will work hard, alongside cabinet, to ensure all businesses and their employees across Cheshire East are supported,’ added Cllr Pochin.

The leader of Cheshire East Council, Cllr Sam Corcoran, added: ‘COVID-19 has had a profound impact on businesses in Cheshire East, as it has across the UK and internationally.

‘However, I am proud of the borough’s economy, its businesses and workers and I am confident that we can overcome the obstacles that COVID-19 has created. I look forward to the benefit of Cllr Pochin’s advice and experience in supporting the council’s economic recovery across the borough.’

Photo Credit – Aymanejed (Pixabay)