Denys set to be chairman

The partnership is among the first in the country to be set up to replace regional development agencies, which are being abolished by the Government.

Denys Shortt, founder and chief executive of Stratford-based health, beauty and household product sales and distribution firm DCS Europe, who also founded Enable Software, is expected to be appointed next month.

The partnership will be made up of five private sector representatives, five from the public sector and one each from Warwick and Coventry universities.

Mr Shortt’s appointment is expected to be endorsed in January, immediately before the LEP officially starts operating.