My right honourable friend the Minister of State for Competitiveness (Stephen Timms) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
I have decided to appoint the new board members listed below:
Jas Bains and Angela Maxwell.
The new appointments will all be for a period of three years.
The appointments will begin on 14 December 2007 and will expire on 13 December 2010.
I have placed further details of the new appointments in the Libraries of both Houses. They were all made in accordance with the code of practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
Biographies
Angela Maxwell
Angela Maxwell achieved prominence as one of the region's most dynamic entrepreneurs after she powered Fracino, the UK's only manufacturer of espresso and cappuccino coffee machines, from a £400,000 turnover in 1995 into today's £2 million world-class leading brand. Industry awards include a Millennium Product Award for design excellence in 2000 and recognition as an “Inner City 100” company in 2001.
Earlier this year, Angela was one of just 200 businesswomen honoured by the Queen at Buckingham Palace, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to UK trade and industry. She is a former European adviser to UK Trade & Investment and a finalist in Businesswoman of the Year 2005. Angela recently accepted an invitation to become a regional ambassador for the Women's Enterprise Network.
Acuwomen, her latest enterprise, is the UK's first company to bring an all-women group of entrepreneurs under one roof. Angela's hand-picked team encompasses strategic development, sales and marketing, design, PR, and telemarketing. The company's client-base includes Coors Brewery, Talk Talk and the Probation Service.
Angela was previously commercial director at Sheffield Theatres, jointly responsible for a £40 million turnover. Angela has not undertaken any political activity during the past five years.
Jas Bains
Jas has spent his career in a variety of roles in local government and housing associations. Appointed chief executive in 2003, he has successfully helped to transform Ashram Housing Association into a national award-winning organisation.
He brings knowledge and experience of housing, regeneration and leadership of a large third-sector organisation. He is a strong advocate of social cohesion and innovative in championing the needs of under represented groups. His main areas of economic interest are with improving economic prosperity for all and with embracing the opportunities afforded by globalisation. He is a founder member of the Wolverhampton India Trade Partnership.
He has held a number of non-executive board positions in the charities and public sectors. Jas is a lifelong Wolves fan and season-ticket holder. He has not undertaken any political activity during the past five years.