Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) has strengthened its board with the announcement of two new board directors, Penny Rinta-Suksi and Phil Southall.

Mrs Rinta-Suksi and Mr Southall will join the board as Non-Executive Directors, who are responsible for driving the growth of the local economy and creating sustainable jobs.

Both Mrs Rinta-Suksi and Mr Southall work and live in Oxfordshire with Mrs Rinta-Suksi a Partner at law firm Blake Morgan, and Mr Southall Managing Director for local bus operators Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, part of Go-Ahead Group plc.

Nigel Tipple, Chief Executive of OxLEP said: “I am delighted that we are able to strengthen the OxLEP board with two new appointments at a time when we are looking to implement our ambitious Strategic Economic Plan. Both Penny and Phil have valuable skills and experience to bring to the board and I am looking forward to working with them to develop the local economy.”

Mrs Rinta-Suksi commented: “OxLEP has achieved a huge amount already and I’m very excited to be able to support the team in doing what is needed to drive growth. Having lived and worked in Oxfordshire for a number of years, the strategic direction of the region is of interest and importance to me. I look forward to partaking in decisions that do not just deliver growth, but also sustainability for the businesses and people in our region.”

Mr Southall added: “The drive behind me joining OxLEP is to make a difference to businesses in our region. As part of my role, I am engaging every day with both public and private sector businesses as well as the wider public and I am eager to bring this knowledge to the team at OxLEP, along with my experience and best practice in transport.”

Mrs Rinta-Suksi is a Partner at Oxfordshire-based commercial law firm, Blake Morgan. She has over 16 years of experience in the leisure, culture and housing sectors and sound working knowledge of education, health, financial, manufacturing, waste and energy markets. In 2014, 2015 and 2016 Mrs Rinta-Suksi was listed by the Legal 500 UK as a leading individual and key name for governance advice. Mrs Rinta-Suksi’s appointment is fully supported by Blake Morgan as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the business community and the public sector in Oxford and the wider region.

Mr Southall is currently Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, Thames Travel and Carousel Buses (all Go-Ahead group companies) and will bring with him a wealth of experience in the transport sector. Mr Southall has championed the sector through his work with Business in Oxford, the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, England’s Economic Heartland Transport Group and Oxford’s Talk of the Town sessions with retailers amongst many.

Mrs Rinta-Suksi and Mr Southall will take up their positions as Non-Executive Directors on the OxLEP board with immediate effect.