An independent Board Chair is being sought to lead the Pride in Place programme for Chelmsley Wood East, with up to £20 million invested in the area over the next 10 years.
Pride in Place relies on the power of local people and partnerships, bringing together residents, the local MP, businesses and community groups to produce a clear vision for their community. The aim is to regenerate town centres, improve public spaces, enhance local assets and restore civic pride.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council, said: “I’m delighted that Chelmsley Wood East is getting this investment. There’s a tight-knit community there and they will see real benefits from this money being spent in the way it should be – decided on by local people and creating maximum impact for everyone who lives there.”
The next step is to appoint an independent Board Chair. They will lead the Neighbourhood Board in co-producing the Pride in Place Plan, bringing together residents, local businesses, community leaders and other organisations. Together they will decide how funding is spent to improve the physical and social infrastructure of the community.
Saqib Bhatti, MP for Meriden and Solihull East, added: “My hope for this funding is that it inspires community led initiative and so we need a chair who understands Chelmsley Wood and cares about building a long term legacy for the community. Together we can achieve this.”
The ideal candidate will be someone with a deep connection to the local community, a commitment to delivering change and improving lives as well as bringing communities together to share ideas in an open and collaborative way.
For further details and how to apply, please visit our Pride in Place page.
The application deadline is Sunday 29 March 2026 with interviews planned for week commencing 13 April 2026. The successful candidate will be appointed by the end of April.