Entrepreneur who helped found a cybersecurity business that sold for $400m, and worked with rock legend Peter Gabriel on a music streaming venture, is to help drive forward Cheshire’s economy. Tony McDonough reports

Entrepreneur Steve Purdham, chair of the Cheshire Business Advisory Board

Leading UK entrepreneur Steve Purdham is to lead the charge to grow Cheshire’s economy.

Steve, who has set up a string of successful multi-million-pound businesses and worked with rock legend Peter Gabriel, is the chair of a new business board set up by leaders of Cheshire and Warrington’s three local authorities.

Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire East Council and Warrington Council have set the new 21-strong board a mission of transforming the region into “the healthiest, most sustainable, inclusive and growing economy in the UK”.

Steve’s string of success stories includes innovative music streaming service WE7 he led alongside former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel before it was sold to Tesco.

He was also part of the founding team behind Cheshire cybersecurity firm SurfControl, which became one of the UK’s first internet unicorns and was sold for $400m in 2007.

As chair of the Business Advisory Board he believes it is “critical” that businesses help shape blueprints for economic growth. He said: “The vision for Cheshire is one of growth and has to be involved by industry and business in all areas.

“If you’re looking forward five, 10, 15, 20 years you have to consider how you’re going to achieve that growth, and it will only be achieved by the public sector and the private sector working in tandem.”

This board comprises experienced and diverse county-wide business representatives ranging from pharmaceutical and tourism experts to a college principal and a former board member at one of Britain’s biggest accountancy firms.

“You have to listen to all voices, but then you have to focus upon what’s the art of the possible. You have to have partnerships with local government, national government and industry. In all sectors.”

A winner of two Institute of Directors awards, Steve’s current roles include chair of Westfield Health, a century-old insurance mutual whose revenue has increased from £62m to £88m under his tenure.

Peter counts rock legend Peter Gabriel as a former business partner
Steve will lead the drive to grow Cheshire’s economy. Picture by Tony McDonough

On working with global superstar Peter Gabriel, Steve said: “I mean, you know the first time you meet him, you think he must know he is a rock legend.

“But he soon brought it down to earth asking if I wanted to have a drink? And he takes you into the kitchen and he’s making you a cup of tea. He’s exceptionally smart. Peter is all about the creativity and my background is all about execution.

“We had some disagreements in approach but no negativity and like with the Business Advisory Board having that knowledge from different sides actually ends up producing a better outcome.”

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Reporting to the leaders of the three local authorities, the new board will meet regularly, providing year-round advice and insight, updating on emerging trends and sense checking economic strategies from a business perspective.

Chair of Cheshire and Warrington’s sub regional leaders board, Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “The Business Advisory Board will ensure businesses are at the heart of this, helping the region grow and continue to be a fantastic place to live, work and set up business.”