Gloucestershire's Local Enterprise Partnership, GFirst LEP, recently announced the appointment of Ruth Dooley as its new chair.

This is the first ever change in its leadership, as Dr Diane Savory OBE stepped down after 10 years at the helm.

Ruth Dooley is a partner and head of the litigation support team at Hazlewoods LLP, an accountancy firm based in Cheltenham and Staverton with 412 staff and partners. She is a chartered accountant and tax adviser for a wide range of companies and private clients and is a previous winner of South West Accountant of the Year.

As chair, Ms Dooley will lead the LEP Board who represent a wide range of private, public, education and voluntary sector organisations from across the county, and work with partners to engage government and realise the LEP's ambitions for Gloucestershire. She was previously a Growth Hub board member and has been a GFirst LEP board member for the last two years.

Punchline-Gloucester.com editor Mark Owen caught up with Ruth the day of the announcement to quiz her about the new role.

How is she going to manage the time whilst still working for Hazlewoods?

What are her thoughts on the future of the LEP's?

What has been her greatest achievement in business and failure or lesson leant?

Mark Owen, editor of www.Punchline-Gloucester.com said: 'I've known Ruth a very long time and know her but don't know very much about her. I have been lucky enough to have served on many boards with her over the years and I can honestly say that she's absolutely dedicated to Gloucestershire and the business community.

"I believe this is a really good appointment at a time when the LEP need a safe pair hands. Someone who gets on with everybody but at the same time, knows when to call a spade a spade'.