The group will represent the city’s business community and its partners who share its vision to become the “pre-eminent, small city in the world”, offering advice and representation for Cambridge to local and national governments about the opportunities and needs of the region, such as national transport infrastructure, science policy, and regional initiatives.
The group is currently focusing on three main initiatives: the Cambridge brand, quality of life and Cambridge growth.
Members include many of the largest employers in the city including; Addenbrooke’s Hospital, ARM Holdings, AstraZeneca, Marshall Group, Xaar Plc and both Anglia Ruskin University and the University of Cambridge.
Ian said: “I am delighted to have been appointed to this role. Cambridge is a wonderful place to live and has the potential to make a huge contribution to the growth of the UK economy. How we encourage that growth to occur in a way that is sustainable and enhances the quality of life of the people who live here is a key challenge. We will work on this with others in a collaborative way to help form a long term vision and a plan to deliver that growth.”
Ian takes over as chairman of the group from the Jeremy Newsum who was responsible for establishing Cambridge Ahead last year. Jeremy said: “It has been exciting to gather together the leading enterprises in Cambridge and to contribute their collective ideas to help the long term future of the city and its region. However, the Chairman should be in business in the city full time and now that the organisation is established, I am very pleased to pass on the chair to Ian. I will of course continue to do whatever I can to help Cambridge Ahead in the future.”
For further information about Cambridge Ahead, please visit www.cambridgeahead.co.uk