Strutt & Parker Partner, Charles Lochrane has been appointed to serve three years on the Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB). Charles is the first Chartered Surveyor to be appointed to the Board since its conception in 1982.

The Board is a statutory body set up under Section 10 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 to advise the Secretary of State on the exercise of his powers under Sections 7 and 8 of that Act, which cover the provision of selective financial assistance to industry.

The Board comprises of respected people who collectively bring a balance of expertise and competence in industry, banking, accountancy and finance to advise Ministers on individual applications for Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) where the grant sought is £2m or over. The principal criterion for membership is senior level experience of large investment decisions in business.

Existing board members include:

Mr Peter Allen Financial Director, Abacus Group Plc

Ms Bridget Blow Non-executive Director of Alba Plc

Dr Brian Count Chairman of Ceres Power

Ms Karen Jones CBE CEO of Spirit Group Ltd to January 2006

Mr Dermot Mathias Senior Partner, BDO Stoy Hayward

Mr Gordon Page CBE Chairman, Cobham Plc

Mr Mark Seligman Senior Adviser, Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Ltd

Mr Robert Swannell Co-Chairman, Citigroup's European Investment Bank

Ms Juliet Williams Chairman, South West Regional Development Agency

All appointments are part-time and unpaid.

(Ends)