Parveen Rai, who has been appointed to the board of directors at the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership – Picture Credit: Edward Moss
An experienced businesswoman in strategic planning and the property and development sector has joined the board of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).
Parveen Rai is Chief Executive Officer at Leamington-based Pav Rai Limited and Rai Properties Limited which have grown rapidly over the last three years and she has now become a board director at the CWLEP.
The 49-year-old, who has two grown-up children, worked in the banking industry for Lloyds for 15 years where she was ranked fifth nationally in the sales division.
She then set-up two property lettings and development companies in Leamington which have grown 300 per cent over the last three years following their expansion into apartments, office conversions, construction and land development.
Last year, Parveen started an MBA at Aston Business School which she completed with distinction, and which included taking part in leadership activities.
She is also a non-executive director for Aston Business School’s Advisory Board and the sports division of The Association of Colleges in London, which encourages 16 to 19-year-olds to feature sport in their lives.
Parveen said she was honoured to have been appointed to the CWLEP board.
“The CWLEP is having an amazing impact in the area and it is great to have joined a pro-active board,” she said.
“I have built up a great deal of experience throughout my career and the reason for my businesses growing was my strategic thinking and leadership and my MBA has given me a real understanding of how infrastructure impacts on the economy which was really useful.
“It is important we promote the opportunities and funding that is available as well as raise the profile of the entire area particularly with UK City of Culture on the horizon for Coventry in 2021.
“I think it is vital we support young, talented businesses as well as bring international businesses to Coventry and Warwickshire.
“It is an exciting time to have joined with so many national and international opportunities over the next few years with the Commonwealth Games in 2022 as well, and I’m looking forward to playing my part.”
Jonathan Browning, Chair of the CWLEP, said Parveen’s experience and skill-set would be a welcome addition to the board.
“The CWLEP board is the driving force of the organisation and Parveen’s knowledge of the property industry and strategic leadership will strengthen our board,” he said.
“Parveen will be involved in developing our future strategies to encourage further growth in our economy, support businesses and create jobs as we steer the future of our area forward.”
