The incoming chairman of a business partnership has called on firms to “up their game” to compete with Europe.

Tim Wates will succeed Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partner- ship (LEP) chairman John Peel OBE on May 22.

The seasoned businessman and vice-chairman of the LEP praised the region, which includes Brighton, parts of East and West Sussex, Gatwick and Croydon, for its fantastic success.

But he called on firms to target international trade.

He said: “We have to face up to the fact we’re not in competition with the rest of the UK but with the super-regions of Europe, such as the technology hubs you see in Holland.

“We’ve got to up our game. We need to understand and look fur- ther afield and be competitive nationally and internationally.”

Mr Wates started his career with Cazenove & Co in London and subsequently joined the Wates Group.

Earlier this year he was appointed a UK Business Ambassador by the Prime Minister.

He will be responsible for driving the LEP’s strategic objectives to transform the region’s business and economic performance through infrastructure investment, international trade and entrepreneurship programmes.

He said: “We live in a fantastic region, I love it. But we’re a victim of our own success, our infrastructure is creaking.

“They say London is becoming the leading city in Europe for digital and the overflow will create even more opportunities for Brighton.”

The LEP has submitted a plan to the Government for £559 million in funding with a pledge to find £550 million of public sector cash from authorities, universities and colleges plus £2.78 billion of private sector funding if the bid is successful.

The plan would create 60,000 new jobs and build 27,000 new homes – though the LEP does not expect to receive full funding.