Two new Deputy Directors join the Great South West Executive team

James Fairbairn and Sajid Butt have joined the Great South West Partnership as Deputy Directors

The Great South West Partnership is delighted to announce the appointments of James Fairbairn as Deputy Director of Investment & Growth and Sajid Butt as Deputy Director of Business Insights.

The Great South West, representing Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, and the Isles of Scilly, stands as the powerhouse brand dedicated to driving investment and showcasing the region's exceptional industries, businesses, and workforce. 

James Fairbairn joins the Partnership from Cornwall Space Cluster, where he was Space Cluster Development Manager, leading on partnership development and promotional activities. James has over six years of experience in the aerospace sector, and was previously Business Development Manager at AeroSpace Cornwall, focusing on strategic marketing and investment.

James said: “The Great South West is critical to the UK economy. I am really looking forward to helping grow our key industries, including clean energy, food security and defence. Coming from the space sector, it's exciting to see how satellite technology underpins these key parts of our economy. The South West has a great opportunity to access new markets, including expanding internationally, and I'm excited to help seize these opportunities and leverage investment into the region for our businesses and economy.”

The new directors will be working alongside Chair Karl Tucker and Director Ahmed Goga.

Sajid Butt joins from Enterprise M3, where he was previously Head of Policy, Intelligence and Communications, leading on strategic direction, policy development, and programme implementation for a low-carbon, high-growth region. Sajid previously worked in the strategic policy and economic development field as Strategic Skills Manager at Southampton City Council, where he focused on skills development, business growth, and future work trends.

Sajid said: “I am delighted to join Ahmed’s newly assembled team and support the Great South West Partnership in delivering on its goals. I have been hugely impressed by the ambition and collaborative nature of its work to date; all done at pace and with real enthusiasm across the Partnership. It’s evident the region has immense strategic and natural assets that could serve as a blueprint for a dynamic framework for economic growth that benefits generations to come.

“I look forward to working with business groups and stakeholders to showcase the incredible opportunities in the region, build insights on the key issues they are facing, and mobilise our collective voice to inform our work in Westminster and Whitehall following the General Election.”

Both Deputy Directors will play pivotal roles in fostering strong and influential partnerships across the private and public sectors, cultivating a shared ambition and passion for catalysing economic growth throughout the Great South West.

Karl Tucker, Chair of the Great South West Partnership, said: "I am delighted to welcome James and Sajid to the Great South West team. Their extensive experience and proven leadership will be invaluable assets as we work to unlock the economic potential of our region.”

Find out more about the Great South West: greatsouthwest.co.uk