AN international company based in Royston has pulled together with other Hertfordshire businesses to form an organisation that will “strengthen the county’s economy.”

Special chemicals firm Johnson Matthey, whose head office is in Orchard Way, have joined forces with Stevenage-based GlaxoSmithKline, Welwyn-based Tesco, Watford-based Warner Bros and others to form the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The partnership had its first meeting last Thursday (24), and will aim to improve the business infrastructure in Hertfordshire.

John Gourd of Johnson Matthey said: “Hertfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership will give businesses the opportunity to take a leading role in shaping and strengthening the future of the county’s economy.

By working with other partners we can identify and maximise the opportunities that Hertfordshire can offer businesses, thereby ensuring that the economy remains strong and stable.”

David Lloyd, Herts county council executive member for economy, said: “The collaboration between the private and public sectors will be key in ensuring the success of the Local Enterprise Partnership. After the first meeting we will be establishing four programme boards that will each take responsibility for a different area of the LEP’s work and will draw on the expertise of other organisations and businesses in Hertfordshire.”

Former vice-chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire Tim Wilson will chair the partnership. He said: “The interim board itself has an excellent mix of expertise from a range of sectors which will be crucial in helping us achieve our vision for Hertfordshire.”