A new managing director has been appointed at a public and private sector body which tells the government where to spend money to boost the county’s economy.

Adam Bryan, a former officer at Essex County Council, will lead the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), which represents 344,000 businesses in Kent, Essex and East Sussex.

His appointment follows his time spent as interim director after the departure of David Godfrey to the Department of Communities & Local Government.

SELEP will inject almost half a billion pounds worth of government investment into the area through its growth deal.

The agreement will see at least £84.1 million invested in the region by the end of this year, which it says will support the delivery of up to 35,000 jobs and 18,000 new homes. It is also behind more than £100 million of private investment up to 2021.

“We will do everything we can to shine a light on the impact of investing in the South East and we will play our role in making sure major new initiatives and infrastructure – such as the Lower Thames Crossing – happen as soon as possible and bring about the wider benefits our communities deserve..." - Adam Bryan, SELEP

Chairman Christian Brodie said: “Adam’s experience and knowledge of what is the second largest LEP in the country, his understanding of the key economic opportunities and challenges facing the area, made him a natural choice for the position.

“While he may have had the knowledge, what was also very clear when he met the interview panel was his passion for the job, his straight talking approach and his vision as to how best quicken the pace of delivery by SELEP. I look forward to working with him.”

Mr Bryan will lead work closely with the four federal areas of SELEP, which are Greater Essex, South Essex, East Sussex and Kent and Medway.

Prior to joining SELEP in December 2014, he worked in several roles at Essex County Council and at the East of England Regional Development Agency. He is also the vice-chairman of the national Chief Economic Development Officers’ Society (CEDOS).

He said: “We will do everything we can to shine a light on the impact of investing in the South East and we will play our role in making sure major new initiatives and infrastructure – such as the Lower Thames Crossing – happen as soon as possible and bring about the wider benefits our communities deserve.

“We must also build stronger relations with London and our neighbouring LEP areas, as the economic success of the South East and the capital are inextricably linked.”