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Update 15 February: Board Director Recruitment Applications Closed

The Heart of the South West (HotSW) LEP is a strong business led partnership between the private sector, local authorities, universities and colleges. Since its establishment in 2011, HotSW LEP has developed a £500m investment pipeline to support its mission to deliver better jobs and prosperity across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.

The LEP is now seeking up to seven new private sector Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) to take up the positions which will become vacant this year when a number of the existing NEDs come to the end of their terms, following six years of their valuable contribution of expertise.

Candidates with a strong business background at a senior level, with the skills and vision to help shape the economic prosperity of our area are required to make a positive contribution to the Board.

Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Steve Hindley, said:

“This is a fantastic opportunity for local business leaders to actively contribute to the next phase of our development and benefit our economy and communities. If you are a business or social economy leader with passion and expertise, please contact HotSW LEP with a view to joining us on our journey towards delivering prosperity for Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.”

The NEDs will be required to attend Board meetings once every two months and periodic meetings or events across the HotSW LEP area, related to their areas of expertise to support LEP activity.

Interested candidates are invited to apply before 14 February by downloading the candidate pack and diversity form below.

HotSW LEP is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants reflecting the diversity of the community.

[button size=”medium” style=”primary” text=”Equal opportunities form” link=”/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Confidential-equal-opps-form-final.docx” target=””]

[button size=”medium” style=”primary” text=”Candidate pack” link=”/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/HotSW-LEP-CIC-Director-Final.pdf” target=”_blank”]

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      David Ralph

      Chief Executive

      David Ralph started as Chief Executive of Heart of South West LEP at the beginning of June 2018. Previously, he had spent 5 years as CEO of the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) LEP from 2013 where he oversaw the development of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and sector strategies, 3 Growth Deals with HM Government to deliver a £1billion capital investment programme, securing and implementing £200m ESIF programme, the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone, the D2N2 Skills Deal and Time for Innovation programme, community fund and led the executive team to develop the HS2 East Midlands hub. He was also closely involved in the proposed North Midlands Devolution Deal and one of the key architects in establishing the Midlands Engine, chairing the officer steering group. Whilst in this role David was a NED of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone, and Marketing NG, the Outer Estates Foundation and a Governor of Nottingham College and on the advisory Board of Nottingham Business School.

      Before the East Midlands, David was CEO of the Have Gateway Partnership working closely with local stakeholders including the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich and BT Adadastral Park across Suffolk and Essex and prior to that was Chief Exec of the Barton Hill New Deal for Communities programme in Bristol and the Nelm Development Trust in Norwich.

      David is a keen sailor, walker and trail runner.