Mark was appointed Chair of the Business Board Network (formerly the LEP Network) in September 2019. He was awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2023 for services to business, the economy and to charity, particularly during Covid-19. He is an independent consultant with 40 years’ of wide-ranging business experience, including in several high-profile Government programmes. Mark was a Managing Director (Partner) in the leadership team of the professional services firm Accenture and before that worked for Plessey, Siemens, Royal Mail and Tata. He sat on the Business Leaders’ Council of the charity Teach First for 13 years and is an Ambassador for Home Start Herts.

Mark has an MBA in Export Management and International Business from City, University of London Business School, and a BSc Econ (Hons) in Management Studies. He was a Royal Signals Reserve Officer (Major) and holds a Territorial Decoration. Mark was a member of the Secretary of State for BEIS’ Levelling Up Taskforce, of the Minister for Local Government’s Economic Recovery Working Group and the Business Action Council, all focused on helping the country grow out of the Covid-19 crisis. Mark joined the Hertfordshire LEP Board as Business Representative and Chair Designate in January 2016, and was Chair from June 2016 until March 2023.

Click here to view Mark's Declaration of Interests.

Mark Livesey joined the LEP Network in December 2019 from Cheshire and Warrington LEP, where he held the joint role of Chief Executive Marketing Cheshire and Deputy Chief Executive Cheshire and Warrington LEP.  Mark joined the LEP in July 2016 from the Department for Communities and Local Government. His civil service career included serving as the Private Secretary to the Leader of the House of Lords and successive housing and planning ministers.  During his civil service career, Mark was also responsible for Coastal Communities, High Streets and Town Centres, during which time he set up and launched the Great British Coast brand, the Great British High Street brand and launched the national Great British High Streets competition.  Mark currently sits on the Board of the Institute of Economic Development and on the Community Board of the Digital Poverty Alliance.

Prior to his role as Communications Manager, Mike worked for FTSE 100 business Babcock International Group as their PR and Public Affairs Manager working in the Support Services Division with a particular focus on their skills and education business. Previous to this Mike worked in senior corporate communications roles for Centrica plc and BAE Systems plc.

Mike's communications experience includes working for BBC News, including time as political researcher with BBC Westminster at 4 Millbank, and working in frontline government communications as press secretary for the UK Energy Minister, Home Secretary, and International Trade Minister.  

Jayne joined the LEP Network in June 2015.

Her background is in marketing communications, event management and providing business support at a senior level.

She has worked for large corporates and SMEs and in a variety of industry sectors including, training, market research, digital print, automotive, IT services, recruitment, financial services and construction.

Natasha joined the LEP Network as Policy Manager in January 2023 following working at New Anglia LEP for over 5 years. There she was the Skills Manager working with education providers in Norfolk and Suffolk and many stakeholders including the local authorities, DWP, business intermediaries and the third sector. She established the apprenticeship levy transfer scheme and Skills Bootcamps for the LEP plus provided the secretariat for the Skills Advisory Panel and a number of sector skills groups.

Natasha has worked in land-based Further Education colleges for over 15 years and roles driving apprenticeship uptake and career inspiration. She has developed academic curriculum and undertook external examining roles throughout the country.