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Local Enterprise Partnership plans consultation events

Helping the Heart of the South West to access a greater share of EU and Government funds is the aim of a series of events being held later this month, aimed at businesses and organisations throughout Devon, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay.

The sessions organised by the Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will provide an opportunity to influence the partnership’s EU funding and business support agenda and look at priority areas.

Attendees will have the chance to provide feedback and explore of a range of topics, including EU funding, the City Deal and business support.

They follow on from the EU workshops held in January this year, which were specifically designed to identify key areas of work for the Partnership, and ensure that funding bids reflect the areas greatest needs in terms of developing and supporting business and the community. As a result, the LEP has been working on its EU   ‘prospectus’     – a bid to Government for a fair share of the EU funds – to incorporate the feedback to focus on these areas of concern for business, including broadband, business support and supply chain opportunities.

The latest sessions will provide an opportunity for business, education and social enterprise to review the priorities and ensure they are in line with their needs and aspirations, and providing further useful guidance and intelligence on local issues.

Chris Garcia, the newly appointed Chief Executive for the Heart of the South West LEP said: “It is fundamental for us to maintain an active dialogue and gather feedback from our business community and other partners, so that we can effectively plan, influence and deliver funding for the area.

“These events will offer participants the chance to shape the area’s economic growth; we are keen to gather views from a broad range of industries and sectors to ensure our decisions truly reflect those of the region.”

The dates of the events are as follows:

  • Thursday 20th June – Vantage Point Innovation Centre, Paignton 16.00-18.00
  • Tuesday 25th June – The Exchange, Bridgwater 08.00 -10.00
  • Tuesday 25th June – North Devon+, Caddsdown Business Support Centre, Bideford, 16.00-18.00
  • Wednesday 26th June – Holiday Inn, Plymouth 08.00-10.00
  • Thursday 27th June – Taunton, Hestercombe House,    08.00-10.00
  • Friday 28th – Devon Hotel, Exeter,     08.00-10.00
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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.