Harris quits as Emprima chairman
Dereck Harris is to step down as chairman of Solihull-based economic regeneration consultancy Emprima. Harris, who has several non-executive directorships with companies in the region, said he was resigning to avoid a "conflict of interest".
He said: "Emprima is a highly innovative business with an outstanding team of dedicated professionals and although I am sad to end my association with the company I am glad to leave in the knowledge that it is a very strong competitor in its field."
Harris joined the business in 2009 after an award-winning career at Aston Science Park where, as chief executive, he helped create a public-private sector partnership transforming sites in Birmingham into science parks.
Neil Pountney, managing director of Emprima, said: "Derek has proved to be a valuable asset during his time at Emprima and we will be sorry to lose his professional expertise and sound advice.
"However, he considers that potential 'conflicts of interest' now make it necessary for him to resign his board position with the company."
Emprima was founded in 1998 by Pountney and is currently project managing a new £215m student village at Aston University.
