Published: Wednesday, 28th February 2024
The Chair of the King’s Lynn Town Deal Board, Graham Purkins, is standing down after four years at the helm, providing an opportunity for someone else to take up the role.
Graham, who is Chief Technology Officer and founder of Merxin Ltd, became Chair in 2020, leading the Board which brings together a diverse range of individuals representing the community, businesses, and local authorities.
During Graham’s tenure, the Board developed and submitted to government King’s Lynn’s Town Investment Plan – a plan shaped with feedback and insight from the local community – which resulted in the maximum £25M Towns Fund allocation for the town.
More recently, the Board has reprioritised the Town Deal programme to focus on a set of exciting and transformational projects that are now progressing through delivery.
Graham commented:
“I live in King’s Lynn, I run a business here, and I am raising my family here, and, so for me, the opportunity to get directly involved in my local area, and its future, by joining the King’s Lynn Town Deal Board was very appealing.
“I have been so grateful for the opportunity to be Chair of the Board for the last four years but now, with the projects gathering pace, it’s time to hand the baton over to someone else.
“It has been great working with the Board which is such a cohesive and effective body, and with officers, and whoever assumes the role of Chair will have the chance to be part of something unique and special that is delivering for the town.
“I look forward to watching the continued progress of the projects, the building work coming out of the ground, and seeing all the efforts of the last few years by the Board and officers spring to life for King’s Lynn.”
King’s Lynn Town Deal Vice-Chair Vicky Etheridge will be assuming the role of Interim Chair whilst recruitment arrangements are made. Vicky said:
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with Graham on the Town Deal Investment Plan and projects. He has skilfully guided us through to the delivery stage and I know I speak for the Board when I say that we are very grateful for all the work he has put in to leading us to this stage. Being part of the Town Deal Board and contributing to the future vision of the town is a fascinating and rewarding experience and I urge local business leaders who might be interested to give this role careful consideration.”
Councillor Alistair Beales, Cabinet Member for Business with the Borough Council commented:
“I am very grateful to Graham for the leadership he has shown during his tenure as chair. Graham has steered the board since the beginning, throughout the successful Town Investment Plan submission and moving into the exciting delivery of the projects. Graham can be extremely proud of all he has achieved for the board and for King’s Lynn, and I thank him for his commitment, guidance, and support.”
Lorraine Gore, Chief Executive of the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk said:
“I am extremely pleased that our conversations in the early development stages of the Town Board led to Graham joining the Board and him agreeing to take on the role of chair. Graham has taken on the role with great enthusiasm and I hope he has enjoyed being part of the team.”
In line with government guidance, the chair of the Board must be from the private sector. Anyone interested in finding out more about the role of chair can get in touch: visionkl@west-norfolk.gov.uk