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Have a say in the LEP – Partnership sessions across Devon & Somerset

The Local Enterprise Partnership for Devon and Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay – Heart of the South West is inviting contributions and comment on its business plan in a series of sessions running on 8th and 9th of February.

Businesses, individuals and representatives of organisations from across the two counties are welcome to attend the short seminars, which are designed to showcase the proposals for the partnership and encourage discussion around the aims and objectives for the business plan.

Chair of Heart of the South West, Tim Jones said: “ It is vital that the business voice is heard and that a partnership approach is adopted to generate growth and productivity for our area. Local Enterprise Partnerships are designed to be private sector led and driven by business. Any views will be welcomed that ensure we can develop a successful and sustainable future economy. These will be included within our Business and Action plans.

“We want our partnership to be unique and distinctive, with real drive and ability to make changes for good. To do that we need the backing and support of our communities, so I’d encourage people to make the time to attend and comment on our plans.

“These proposals have been developed by talking to a wide range of businesses from all our key sectors and industries, the economy and local business leaders, but we have to ensure that they will meet our needs. We have great ambition to deliver results and we hope that these proposals will enable us to work with others to generate a better quality of life for everyone through growth in our economy.”

At each of the sessions, the Partnership will be examining their priority areas of Productivity – Enterprise R&D and ICT; Infrastructure – Rail Road and Broadband; Skills – Vocational, Higher and Further; Exporting and Inward Investment, as well as exploring how the partnership will run its day to day operations.

Sessions are free to attend, but as numbers are limited, places are first come first served. Attendance should be confirmed to HotSW@coastmarcoms.co.uk.

8th February, 8-10 am, The Exchange, Bridgwater, Somerset

8th February, 5.30 – 7.30 pm, Dillington House, Ilminster, Somerset

9th February, 8-10 am, The Legacy, Plymouth International Hotel, Plymouth

9th February, 5.30 – 7.30 pm, The Thistle Rougemont Hotel, Exeter

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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.