Business leaders who are passionate about helping Hereford to grow are being sought to join the board of the city’s Enterprise Zone.

Two places are available for ambassadors to join the Executive Board of Skylon Park, which steers the direction of the public/private initiative that is developing the Rotherwas site.

It is a pivotal time in the history of the Hereford Enterprise Zone as two high-profile projects get underway. A £9million Centre for Cyber Security will create 190 high-value jobs when it opens in 2020 and a £7.3million redevelopment of the historic Shell Store site will transform the building into a flagship business incubation and innovation centre.

Skylon Park – the UK’s only Enterprise Zone with a defence and security focus – is nearly 50 per cent occupied. It is home to 38 businesses and 660 workers with another 1,000 jobs identified.

Chairman of the Hereford Enterprise Zone, Andrew Manning Cox, said: “We are looking for highly respected individuals with a proven track record in business to join the board.

“They must be passionate about improving the economic well being of Hereford and Herefordshire and creating investment and quality jobs for the benefit of the wider community.

“This is a very exciting time for Skylon Park and we will be recruiting new board members with the skills and drive to help the Enterprise Zone grow and prosper.”

Mr Manning Cox added: “Given the remit of the Enterprise Zone we are keen to hear from candidates with experience in defence and security, specifically cyber security, but this shouldn’t be a deterrent to suitably skilled candidates.

“A determination to help Herefordshire succeed and a strong pedigree in business are the key factors.”

Board members serve for three years and attend six meetings a year. The role is unpaid.

Candidate packs are available by contacting 01432 383616 or by emailing mark@skylonpark.co.uk.

Completed applications must be received by 5pm on 8th March.