The functions of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership have transferred to the principal local authorities in Devon and Somerset as part of new Government policy, effective April 1, 2024.
This means that Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, Somerset Council and Torbay Council are now responsible for economic strategy, Government programmes such as the Growth Hub and Careers Hub, and ensuring local business has a voice in decisions affecting the future of our economy through Economic Growth Boards in their areas. The four councils will continue to work together to ensure sensible collaboration on sector support and strategic partnerships.
Information regarding key delivery partners can be found below.
Somerset Council
Somerset Council is the unitary authority which governs the district of Somerset, which occupies the southern part of the ceremonial county of the same name in the South West of England.
Somerset Council will continue to deliver the Local Growth Fund, Getting Building Fund, Growing Places Fund.
Devon County Council
Devon County Council operates as the local government authority for Devon. Providing information, guidance, and services across various sectors.
Plymouth City Council
Plymouth City Council is the local authority for Plymouth, a unitary authority with city status in the ceremonial county of Devon, England.
Torbay Council
Torbay’s local authority delivers services to visitors and residents of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.
Heart of the South West Growth Hub
The Growth Hub offers free business advice, funding opportunities, and support for businesses in Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay.
Somerset Careers Hub
The Somerset Careers Hub helps transform careers education for young people across Somerset. They link state-funded secondary schools, special educational needs schools, alternative provision and post-16 colleges with local employers to deliver high quality careers support for students.
Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub
The Devon, Plymouth & Torbay Careers Hub helps transform careers education for young people across Somerset. They link state-funded secondary schools, special educational needs schools, alternative provision and post-16 colleges with local employers to deliver high quality careers support for students.
Destination Plymouth
Destination Plymouth is a private/public sector partnership. Their role is to increase visitors to the city and surrounding area, grow visitor spend and tourism related jobs.
Connecting Devon and Somerset
Connecting Devon and Somerset is a local government-led partnership which helps to deliver next generation broadband infrastructure to areas where the market has failed to invest.
Great South West
The Pan-Regional Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset and Somerset.
EPIC
EPIC is a cutting-edge facility offering world-class labs, offices, and a classified cleanroom, unparalleled technical capabilities for research, development, and product innovation across diverse sectors like Microelectronics, Photonics, MedTech, AgriTech, MarineTech, and Aerospace.
Maritime UK SW
Maritime UK South West brings together a network of South West partners to develop and promote four overlapping and complimentary world class marine centres of excellence with the potential to exploit global market opportunities and create transformational economic growth for the region.
Defence and Security Cluster
The SWRDSC is the first pan-Defence and Security cluster in the UK. It forms a collaboration led by industry and academia with the support of government and its ministerial departments such as the MOD and its innovation directorate, and the Defence and Security Accelerator.
UK Future Flight Innovation Zone
The UK Future Flight Innovation Zone will help to accelerate the development of future flight technologies to create a smart, sustainable aviation and advanced air mobility industry.
Nuclear South West
Nuclear South West is a public-private partnership of industry, academic and public sector established to champion the South West nuclear industry as the premier destination for investment, innovation and growth.
Access to Finance SW
Access to Finance is a free community for growing businesses in the Heart of the South West region. Stay up to date with funding news and opportunities, gain an understanding of the different types of finance available and how to access them, and build a network of contacts to help your business thrive.
