Pictured above: Simon Woods

Two new directors, an industrialist and a long-standing councillor, have joined the board of enterprise agency Erewash Partnership.

Caroline Steed, a director of family business F & M Steed, in Bonsall Street, Long Eaton, which employs 60 people and manufactures bespoke handmade furniture has joined the board.

"I'm delighted to join the board and have the opportunity to work to regenerate the local economy," she said.

The other newcomer is Councillor Robert Parkinson, representing the new Conservative administration at Derbyshire County Council. Apart from a three year break he has served continuously since 1967.

A former leader of Erewash Borough Council, he has just been elected Mayor. 

Partnership chief executive Ian Viles said: "These two newcomers to the board will bring great experience in a challenging economic climate. 

"Caroline represents a manufacturing industry which is still a strong force in the Long Eaton area. To have Councillor Parkinson on the board while he is also the Mayor of Erewash is an added bonus. He has already said how keen he is to meet local businesses."

Pictured above: Councillor Robert Parkinson

Entrepreneur Simon Woods, managing director of TecQuipment, who joined the board two years ago and became vice-chairman last year, has stepped up to become chairman.

Simon joined TecQuipment in 1973 as an engineering student and as the company grew and became TQ Education and Training with a head office at Lockington Simon eventually became educational products director.

But in 2008, 50 years after the company was started, the directors de-merged and Simon bought the manufacturing base in Bonsall Street, along with the equipment and intellectual property rights, reverting the company to its original name and products operation.

Employing more than 60 people, it manufactures more than 500 products, ranging from the type of equipment used by A-level physics students to that of engineering graduates and exports to some 80 countries.

Simon succeeds outgoing chairman Stephen Woolley, partner in Robinsons Solicitors, who is staying on the board. Former chairman John White, ex-chairman of Nottingham-based construction company Clegg has retired.

Ian said: "John gave us strong support for more than 10 years and was very keen to develop our property projects, Enterprise Court and Castledine House, both in Ilkeston, which have created jobs.

"I am delighted that Simon has taken over as chairman, as he represents a leading manufacturer in the borough. He continues the long relationship with TecQuipment as the founding chairman of the Partnership 16 years ago was Richard Edwards, a director of the firm."