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New board member appointed to Local Enterprise Partnership

barbara-shaw-aug-13fThe Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has announced the appointment of Barbara Shaw to the board.

Barbara will take the role of Non Executive Director and will help shape the next phase of development for the Partnership.

Barbara has worked in housing for more than 15 years. In January 2012 she became Chief Executive of Westward Housing Group which manages 7,000 properties across the south west. Prior to this she worked for The Guinness Partnership and before that, Sovereign Housing.   She began her career as a communications specialist and has held positions in the commercial, public and charitable sectors.

She is passionate about delivering great services to customers and making organisations highly efficient and professional, whilst still focusing on people. She has an MA in business management.

Chris Garcia, Chief Executive of the LEP said: “I would like to welcome Barbara to the board – her strong business background in a number of industries will provide the Heart of the South West LEP with a wealth of experience and skills.   We particularly welcome the additional focus on place and infrastructure.

“This role will help influence key decisions affecting the economy to deliver on an ambitious vision for growth, jobs and prosperity.”

Barbara Shaw said: “I’m passionate about helping local businesses to succeed, grow and prosper. This is an exciting role and I look forward to working with the rest of the board to help grow the economy of the Heart of the South West area.”

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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.