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Local Enterprise Partnership welcomes budget announcement

The budget, announced earlier today by the Chancellor has been welcomed by the Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

Steve Hindley, Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP said: “The measures announced in today’s budget are encouraging: in particular, we welcome the news around the £200m made available for urgent maintenance to repairing roads.

“This is very timely, as the LEP will be making a strong case to government about the serious lack of investment into transport infrastructure over the last few years.   Making transport improvements will enable us to create the right jobs for the future knowledge economy.

“The £140m extra for flood defence repairs and maintenance is also welcome – however, we would like more detail on how, and when, this money will be allocated.   The Heart of the South West area has been battered by the recent severe weather and a huge amount of investment is needed due to under investment in the past.

“Businesses in the local area will benefit from the Regional Air Connectivity Fund, helping to increase connectivity – in addition, the freeze on the fuel duty rise is good news for our predominantly rural area.   We also welcome the increased emphasis and investment into exports: we work closely with UKTI to coordinate foreign direct investment across the area helping to influence investment in the future.”

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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.