A NEW strategic lead has been appointed to support the development and growth of the North’s heritage, culture and landscape.

The NP11 group of Northern Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) – including Cumbria LEP – has recruited Clare Devaney as its new leader of strategy, with the aim of ensuring the North is recognised as a culturally vibrant and economically successful place, by utilising cultural assets and place-based approaches.

As strategic lead, Clare’s priority will be around positive placemaking: recognising the integral role that culture, heritage and landscape will play in the drive towards economic recovery in the North of England.

The new team member will be working out of Cumbria LEP in her role, and has a deep understanding of both LEPs and the arts, culture and heritage sectors.

She said: “

This is a critical period for our arts, cultural and heritage sectors, and for our tourism and leisure sectors, and we must work with all of our collective strength to support and secure their recovery, resilience and future flourishing.

“I am hugely excited by the potential for this role, and look forward to working with the NP11, with arts, cultural, heritage and environmental partners and stakeholders.”

Lord Richard Inglewood, chair of Cumbria LEP and NP11 board lead for Place, said: “We are delighted to welcome Clare to the NP11, to fill a much needed role at a crucial time for the growth and the development of the North.

“With a strategic lead for Place and Culture, we are aligned to create a narrative which recognises the North for its unique and diverse cultural status.”

For more details on The NP11, visit www.np11.org.uk