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The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire LEP has announced several key members taking up their places on its shadow board. The appointment of the Duke of Devonshire was described as “an excellent addition” by the region’s chamber of commerce. The LEP includes representatives from the county authorities of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and the city councils of Nottingham and Derby.

George Cowcher, chief executive of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Chamber of Commerce, also told Insider that one of the organisation’s board directors would join the Duke on the panel.

Cowcher said: "The Duke of Devonshire will be an excellent addition to the Shadow LEP Board. He is an extremely successful Derbyshire businessman who has proved time and again that he is a true leader in the fields of tourism, hospitality and rural matters - all crucial elements of the LEP which are relevant in both counties.

"It’s important to remember that the LEP will be a private sector-led organisation and in order to make it a success, it’s critical that people of the Duke’s calibre play a leading role in driving it forward."

He added that alongside the Duke of Devonshire, one of the chamber’s board directors - Richard Horsley, would take a seat on the LEP shadow board.

Derbyshire County Council said the Duke of Devonshire was its “choice to represent private sector interests”.

In total, four business leaders will be selected by Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire county councils and Derby and Nottingham city councils.

Accepting his position on the shadow board - which will work to establish the formal LEP in 2011 - the Duke said: "I am greatly honoured to have been chosen to join the LEP and I look forward to serving the interests of Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to the best of my ability."

Derbyshire County Council leader Andrew Lewer said the Duke's involvement was “a real coup for the county”.

He said: "The Duke of Devonshire is well respected across Derbyshire. He is already an exceptional business leader and will now play a crucial part in driving forward the work of the LEP.

"We are facing tough times ahead. But the new Local Enterprise Partnership - made up of leaders from the private and public sectors - promises to put the region in the best possible position to make the most of future economic activity."

Professor John Coyne, from Derby University, is likely to be the first university representative. Three other private sector representatives will be announced shortly, said Derbyshire County Council.