Insider Media Limited

Experian chairman John Peace has told Insider that his main priorities as the newly-appointed high sheriff of Nottingham will be tackling the "big issue" of joblessness and raising the profile of the region's small businesses. Peace, who is boss of the data giant, said more focus needs to be given to aiding "not just big corporate companies, but smaller businesses which can grow and create new jobs".

Peace, who is also the chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, said the main challenge he faced in his role as high sheriff of Nottingham was the issue of joblessness.

He said: "We know the economy is going to remain difficult for some time – it's going to affect every part of society. Business has a big part to play in the region's revival – they need to step up to the plate and help people get into jobs.

"I will use all the business contacts I have to through my role at Experian to support local businesses and projects which can really revitalise the region."

In his new role, Peace will act as the "Queen’s representative in Nottinghamshire" for matters relating to the judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.

He said the position would give him an opportunity to "help the region and the county of Nottinghamshire".

"One of my priorities will be to help local small businesses – not just the big corporate companies. Fifty per cent of the country's GDP is produced by small businesses, and we need to make sure they get the attention they deserve.

"By helping the smaller companies, we are investing in growth as they build and create new jobs.

"We have a very diverse economy in Nottinghamshire. We have strong textile, engineering, manufacturing and food producing businesses – if we use this diversity in the right way, we'll become a much stronger county."

Peace said his role at Experian would help him in his position as high sheriff, which he will take on for the next year.

"At Experian, we do a lot to help businesses with the research we conduct – we also employ 15,000 people across 17 countries. If we can continue to grow and evolve, so can other companies in our region."

Peace, who also chairs the Nottingham Economic Resilience Forum, took over from Amanda Farr as the high sheriff on 8 April.