Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Head of Growth and Regeneration.

That the Shareholder Committee for the Dorset Innovation Park Ltd:

1.    Formally ratify the choice of Cecilia Bufton as the Dorset Innovation Park Ltd Chair for an initial period of 12 months

2.    Approve the re-appointment of Mark Ovens as a Non-Executive Director of Dorset Innovation Park Ltd.

Reason for the decision

Dorset Innovation Park Ltd (the Company) has been established as an “arms length” company of Dorset Council to take on the management and operation of the Dorset Innovation Park (DIP). An external Board of Directors has been appointed to oversee the management of the Company. In February 2026 the Chair of the Company resigned their position and the Shareholder approved the commencement of an appointment process for a new Chair. That process has secured Cecilia Bufton as the new Chair of the Company and this appointment has been confirmed by the Leader of the Council. The Shareholder Committee is now asked to formally ratify this decision.

In addition, the Company Managing Director has requested that the Shareholder consider the reappointment of Mark Ovens to the Company Board as a Non-Executive Director.

The shareholder committee received and considered a report of the Head of Growth and Regeneration which provided an update on the Dorset Innovation Park Ltd Board composition and included a recommendation for the formal ratification of the Company Chair and appointment of a Non-Executive Director.

It was proposed by S Clifford seconded by N Ireland

Decision

That the Shareholder Committee for the Dorset Innovation Park Ltd:

1.    Formally ratify the choice of Cecilia Bufton as the Dorset Innovation Park Ltd Chair for an initial period of 12 months

2.    Approve the re-appointment of Mark Ovens as a Non-Executive Director of Dorset Innovation Park Ltd.

Reason for the decision

Dorset Innovation Park Ltd (the Company) has been established as an “arms length” company of Dorset Council to take on the management and operation of the Dorset Innovation Park (DIP). An external Board of Directors has been appointed to oversee the management of the Company. In February 2026 the Chair of the Company resigned their position and the Shareholder approved the commencement of an appointment process for a new Chair. That process has secured Cecilia Bufton as the new Chair of the Company and this appointment has been confirmed by the Leader of the Council. The Shareholder Committee is now asked to formally ratify this decision.

In addition, the Company Managing Director has requested that the Shareholder consider the reappointment of Mark Ovens to the Company Board as a Non-Executive Director.