The newly appointed chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will next week be making his first public appearance since agreeing to take up the role.

Andy Street, who is managing director of retail giant John Lewis, will be talking about progress made by the LEP to an audience of partners and stakeholders at an event at Villa Park, on Thursday 21 April.

Mr Street - who officially takes over as LEP chair on 1 May 2011 - will be joined at the event by members of the organisation's board, and interim chair Bridget Blow.

She said: "We're delighted Andy is joining us at this event, during which we will be outlining the progress we have made in establishing the LEP, and also what else has been achieved to date.  

"Andy, who hails from the Midlands, will underline his commitment to developing our plans for continuing the economic rejuvenation of the region."  

The Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP is one of the largest nationally, comprising nine local authorities - Birmingham, Solihull, Cannock, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth, Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest. 

The organisation was recently chosen by Government to develop one of a number of Enterprise Zones being established in the UK, although the zone's location has yet to be announced by the LEP board.

The event on 21 April will be held in the 1874 Suite in Villa's Trinity Road stand. Places can be booked by contacting events@birmingham-chamber.com. Businesses are limited to a maximum of two delegates each.