Chief executive to leave agency

Briggs 'aiming for top league'

The changes at the top of the East Midlands Development Agency (Emda) have continued with the announcement that its chief executive will step down.

Martin Briggs will leave the post in March next year, he announced on Wednesday.

His declaration comes just two weeks after the government announced that Emda's chairman, Derek Mapp, will be replaced later this year.

Mr Briggs said it had been his intention to step down "for some time".

Mr Briggs said: "I wanted to discuss the mechanics with the newly-announced chair designate of Emda, Bryan Jackson, before making my decision public."

Mr Jackson, the managing director of Toyota in Derby, is due to take over as Emda's chairman in December.

Mr Briggs said he would wait until March so that his successor could be appointed.