The Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership appointed seven new directors to its board.

The group hopes these new additions will increase its strategic leadership capacity and support the activities it carries out to grow the town and county's economy.

Chair John Mortimer said: " I was delighted with the number of high quality applications we received from our board director recruitment campaign. This is a reflection of how well our LEP is engaged with our business community and the reputation we have through delivering our innovative projects and programmes across our region.

"Our new board directors, with their expertise and backgrounds, will provide creative ideas, skills and energy to play their part in our work including approving our local industrial strategy.”

New College principal and CEO Carole Kitching, Nationwide Building Society's head of operational risk oversight Andrew Gudgeon, Accomplish HR managing director Mandy Clarker, Middleton Solutions Limited founder Becky Middleton, Chipside Ltd managing director Paul Moorby, JERES Management Consulting managing director Keeran Vetriko and AN Information Limited international business consultant Alison North will be board directors for the next three years.

They will dedicate two working days per month in the voluntary role to cover board meetings and working groups.

The board also welcomed Wiltshire Council leader Coun Philip Whitehead to replaced Coun Baroness Scott of Bybrook.