Steve Purdham, who co-founded the music streaming service WE7 with Peter Gabriel, has been appointed chairman of a new Business Advisory Board in Cheshire. The board consists of 21 experienced business leaders from across the region and aims to help Cheshire and Warrington become “the healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive, and growing economy in the UK.”

 Mr. Purdham, formerly part of the team at Congleton-based cybersecurity firm SurfControl Plc, emphasized the importance of growth for Cheshire’s future. He stated, “To envision progress over the next five, ten, or twenty years, we need to explore how to achieve that growth, which requires collaboration between the public and private sectors.”

The Business Advisory Board serves as a link for sharing knowledge between these sectors. “We must concentrate on what is achievable and foster partnerships with local and national government as well as industry across all fields.”

The board includes representatives from various sectors, such as pharmaceuticals and tourism, along with a college principal and a former member of one of the UK’s largest accounting firms. It will report to the leaders of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East Council, and Warrington Borough Council.

Councillor Louise Gittins, chair of Cheshire and Warrington’s sub-regional leaders board, remarked, “The Business Advisory Board will ensure that businesses are central to this initiative, helping the region thrive as an excellent place to live, work, and start a business.”