About WFBB
The Waltham Forest Business Board has been developed as a strategic body to work in partnership with the London Borough of Waltham Forest to ensure that the Borough is one in which business can thrive and stay. The Board has a key role in interfacing with the Council and the business community to ensure the voice of business is heard by the Politicians and Officers of the Council. Acting as a sounding board for the Local Authority the Board aims to ensure Council policies and procedures are as business friendly as possible.
Background & Objectives
The London Borough of Waltham Forest published an Enterprise Strategy in 2007 which proposed the establishment of a top level business board within the hierarchy of business representation across the Borough.
Chaired by Michael Polledri the aim of the board is to bring together the most influential business leaders in Waltham Forest to address key strategic issues affecting the economic competitiveness and well being of the Borough and the quality of life of its residents. The Board's main objectives are:
1. To provide leadership that drives sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Borough through inward investment, business start up and the expansion of existing firms.
2. To champion the Enterprise strategies for the Borough whilst promoting entrepreneurship and innovation.
3. To lobby to bring long term benefits to the Borough from opportunities arising throughout London, the Thames Gateway, the London Stansted Cambridge growth corridor and from the 2012 Olympics.
4. To articulate business views about strategic decisions on transport, communications and infrastructure affecting the Borough by engaging the decision makers at the regional and local level.
Drawing on the expertise of its members in their own fields of management and product markets, the Board may also offer advice to public agencies on the effective delivery of public service and can be called on to provide an input to the Boroughs local strategic partnership.
The Board represent all sectors and size of companies within the Borough and in particular the diversity of the business base of Waltham Forest.
The Board has established itself as a community interest company with its own bank account, budget and over the coming years aims to establish itself as a sustainable effective agent of positive change for business in Waltham Forest.
