The LEP Chair and Board work to strengthen the LEP’s role as the main thought-leader influencing economic development in the HotSW area and deliver the area’s Local Industrial Strategy that aligns with the Government’s National Industrial Strategy.
The Board also oversees the LEP’s delivery programme of infrastructure, business support and skills projects worth three-quarters of a billion pounds being delivered by 2025 in line with the Local Assurance Framework.
The LEP’s Board is made up of members who hold/have held senior leadership roles across our key sectors and/or have experience of running an SME and therefore understands the opportunities, challenges and infrastructure needed to make them prosper.
The Chair represents the LEP at key events and media opportunities in the HotSW area and at meetings in London with MPs, ministers and stakeholders. The Chair and non-executive directors will be required to attend board meetings once every two months and periodic meetings or events across the HotSW LEP area, related to their areas of expertise to support LEP activity.
Further information in relation to the responsibilities of the Chair and Board members can be found within the Articles of Association. The recruitment process for the Board is available here.
Board members receive no recompense for their work with the LEP, and private sector members are recruited through an open advertising and interview process to encourage a broad cross-section of candidates. Their contribution to the economic community is a valuable resource which is unique to the LEPs.
The private sector Board membership is balanced by representation from the Local Authorities in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay, so giving democratic oversight to the Board and the LEP as a whole.
Karl is the Chair of Yeo Valley Farms Ltd & Yeo Valley Ltd having previously been the Executive Chairman of Yeo Valley Farms Production Ltd until June 2020. Karl has been with Yeo Valley since 1996 having joined from the Quarrying Industry and before that having served in the British Army. Karl has been a key member of the leadership team that has seen Yeo Valley grow to be the UK’s largest organic food brand and one of the largest, independent, family owned dairy businesses in the UK. Prior his role as the Executive Chairman he had been Managing Director since June 2017 and prior to that Joint Managing Director from November 2013. Prior to this Karl was the Finance, IT and Procurement Director since 2006.
As well as his role at Yeo Valley Karl is the Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, sits on the SW CBI Council, is a member of the Somerset Growth Board and sits on the Advisory Board for the South West Food Hub.
Karl is also a trustee of the Bridgwater Education Trust, a body aiming to raise the aspiration, motivation and attainment levels of the young people of Bridgwater in Somerset and trustee of ‘Feeding Bristol’, a charity working to eliminate food poverty and food insecurity in the city of Bristol. He is Governor of the Merchants Academy school in Bristol and Member of Trustees of Churchill Academy and Sixth Form. He joined the board of Trustees of South Bristol Youth earlier in 2021 and will take over as Chair in June 2021.
David Bird is Head of Debt Advisory at Isca Ventures LLP, a corporate finance boutique helping SME owners to grow and maximise the value of their businesses. He has over 35 years of experience in banking in many varied roles, including spells as South West Regional Director for Santander Corporate and Commercial Banking, Clydesdale Bank and Barclays. David built two banking businesses from scratch to full blown regional profit centres. He has delivered major projects with multi-million pound budgets through leading large teams in the banking industry.
As well as bringing his clear thinking, result driven skills to the LEP Board, David has strong links to social enterprise and is a non executive Director at Westward Housing Group as a member of their audit committee. He is a supporter of the Exeter University Graduate programme, a former school governor and youth rugby coach.
David values collaboration and partnership as factors for success, and brings these values to the LEP Board which aims to develop its partnerships.
David is involved in a number of charities, roles in the education sector, and community projects. He is a founding trustee of the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, which has raised almost £2million in supporting the local community. He enjoys family life, rugby, coaching, and reading.
David is a retired private client Investment Manager of thirty four years’ experience. In November 2021, David sold his successful Investment Management practice, to become involved in the political arena and in May 2022 was elected as a County Councillor in the first Somerset Unitary Council elections. David’s wide experience and network of contacts quickly earned him an economic development role in the new Unitary Somerset Council.
In addition to his former role as a finance professional, David was President of Yeovil Chamber of Commerce from 2015-2022, and board Director at Somerset Chamber of Commerce from 2019-2022. David was also chair of governors at a 400-pupil primary school in Yeovil from 1988-2009, being chair from 2007-2009. David is currently a governor at Yeovil College, sitting on their curriculum and infrastructure committees.
Born and raised in Yeovil, David brings to the LEP Board, his passion for Somerset, and a massive network of contacts built up during his time with Somerset and Yeovil Chambers of Commerce. For David, everything is about people, and open dialogue, aimed at delivering economic prosperity and employment.
When not doing all of the above, David devotes his time to his partner Julia, and his two grown-up daughters. David is also a recording and performing songwriter; a familiar figure on the Yeovil music scene, and a passionate supporter of grass-roots art and culture.
Jane is a Board member and Trustee for several national and regional organisations, including in the region Exeter Science Park, Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust and South West Mutual.
Jane has over 30 years’ experience in financial services and has also worked in the alternative energy and educational sector. Jane qualified as a chartered accountant, later studied for an MBA at the London Business School, and more recently qualified as an executive coach. Jane has spent much of her career working in start-ups and guiding fast growth SMEs. This has given her the skills to face the many challenges experienced by small businesses, particularly with regards to the recruitment and retention of skilled staff, establishing financial, digital and operational infrastructure, raising finance, and M&A activities.
Jane relocated to the South West in 2015 to establish a community Fintech business in Cornwall, providing debt finance for regional and national SMEs. Since moving down Jane has enjoyed the many outdoor activities that the South West has to offer including gig rowing, paddle boarding, kayaking, and she is also a member of her local Hash House Harriers.
Judith PettsProfessor Judith Petts was appointed the University of Plymouth’s Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive in February 2016. She joined Plymouth from the University of Southampton where she had been Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise and previously the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Social and Human Sciences (2010-13). Prior to this she had spent 12 years at the University of Birmingham as a Head of School and finally as Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Knowledge Transfer (2007-10).
Over some 30 years, her research has particularly examined the interface between science and policy-making, and the effective use of evidence in decision-making. Currently she is a member of the Council of BBSRC and of NERC’s Innovation Board. Previous appointments include as a member of the Science Advisory Council of Defra (2011-16); Royal Commission on Environmental of Pollution (2006-11), the Council of NERC (2000-6), of EPSRC’s Societal Issues Panel and Strategic Advisory Network, the Royal Society’s Science in Society Consultative Committee, and the Advisory Board of Veolia Environmental Services.
She was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s New Year Honours, 2012, for services to Scientific Research.
Paul has recently left BT after 31 years after being BT Group’s English Regional Director where he responsible for developing strategic relationships with combined and local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, business, education and community organisations to focus on the success and growth of the UK’s regional and local economies.
In this new phase of his career Paul will be consulting in the area of technology and innovation; especially 5G, Cyber and Internet of Things. On top of that he will be also working on regional economic matters and is keen to see how in a during and post-Covid world how the South West can use digital technologies to not just survive, but thrive.
Paul is based in the South West and sits on the following external boards:
Mark BoltonMark has been Principal of Yeovil College since October 2019. He studied at De Montfort University where he graduated with an Honours Degree in Graphic Design and Illustration in 1993, and then worked as a freelance Illustrator and Graphic Designer until 2007. He began teaching Graphic Design in 1995 in the North East of England and continued to develop his work in the sector over the following years until he joined the senior team at Northumberland College in the North East. Mark then moved into the Principalship team as Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, and then subsequently for Apprenticeships and Business Development.
Mark joined Yeovil College as Director of Employer Engagement in November 2015, and became Vice Principal, Curriculum and Quality in 2018.
Mark lives in South Somerset with his wife and young children.
Phil BialykCllr Phil Bialyk is the Labour Leader of Exeter City Council.
First elected to the Council in 2011, he serves as a ward councillor for Exwick. Before being elected leader in May 2019, Cllr Bialyk was Lead Councillor for Health and Wellbeing, Communities & Sport, with responsibility for delivering the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre in the city centre, and a new Exeter Bus Station.
Born and raised in Exeter, Cllr Bialyk is a former bus conductor and bus driver. Recently retired, he was for many years a Regional Organiser for the RMT union.
As Council Leader, his main areas of responsibility are:
Cllr Bialyk is a registered football referee with the Devon FA.
Richard StevensRichard Stevens is the current chair of the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce; a role Richard is delighted and honoured to perform. Richard has embraced the role and enthusiastically committed his time and energy to promote the Chamber. Engaging with Stakeholders, Richard is the Chair of the Business Leadership Group for the HotSW LEP, Deputy Chair of the LEP Strategic Investment Panel and Deputy Chair of the Local Transport Board.
Richard’s career is in public transport, Richard was appointed as Managing Director of Plymouth Citybus in May 2012. With a turnover in excess of 27 million pounds, Citybus serves over 17 million passengers a year and is the biggest public transport provider in Plymouth and East Cornwall, employing 550 people and running a fleet of 185 buses to all corners of the city. Richard has more than twenty years’ senior management experience of working in the bus industry in the South West of the UK. Previously Richard served as an Operations & Commercial Director for Stagecoach South West and was Operations Director for First Devon and Cornwall; prior to that he held a number of managerial roles, having begun his transport career in 1990 as a bus driver. Richard is particularly proud of Plymouth Citybus attainment of ‘Gold’ Investors in People Accreditation; Richard is passionate about people, he ensures his team live in an empowered responsibility focused culture, where people are treated with unconditional positive regard. Richard believes that Citybus has a duty to be a good community partner and encourages all employees to do their bit, the staff at Citybus assist many voluntary and charitable organisations across the city.
Richard is the current Joint Chair of the Plymouth Area Business Council, Chair of the Plymouth Growth Board, Chair of the Marine Tech Expo; Richard sits on the Devonport Task Force, One Plymouth, the Mayflower 400 Leadership group and the Peninsular Rail Task Force board and Chair of the PRTF Stakeholder Group. Richard is also a Director of Destination Plymouth; the destination management company; he is committed to working with all strategic partners, to ensure that the voice of business in Plymouth and the region is strong, unified and playing to its collective strengths.
Richard was awarded an Honorary Degree as a Master Business Administrator (MBA) by Marjon University in October 2018.
In his spare time; Richard is Chair of Governors for All Saints Academy, Secondary School. Having relocated his family to Plymouth, Richard is a member of Saltash sailing club, enabling him to indulge in his other passion; sailing.
Cllr David Thomas was born and raised in Lancashire and after leaving grammar school he became a profession musician and entertainer where he travelled the world for more than 10 years, before he returned to the UK.
After completing a number of summer seasons in Blackpool, he moved to Torbay when he married Jackie and they set up a small hotel with a 50 cover a la Carte restaurant. They sold this business interest in 2000 and David went on to set up a very successful printing company and Jackie operated her own outside event catering business.
In 2007, David stood for Torbay Council and became a local councillor, now after 16 years he is the Leader of the Council after working in many of the council’s various people and place committees. He has a broad working experience of both public and private sector and as board experience from serving as a non-executive director in a number of local and regional businesses.
David enjoys problem solving, be those high strategic issues or practical ‘on the street’ problems from members of his community. He is a people person and is a Leader who leads by example.
David’s interests still include live music, theatre, eating eat, great conversation, but most of all, learning new skills.
Stuart BrocklehurstStuart Brocklehurst represents the University of Exeter on the LEP Board. He is its Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Innovation, leading the University’s collaboration with business.
Stuart started his career in banking, holding a number of roles with Barclays in the UK and Africa, including as Head of Internet Strategy. As Senior Vice President for Digital Commerce at Visa International CEMEA he led the adoption of new forms of technology and business models, including eCommerce authentication, chip and contactless payments and national payment networks. Following a period as a Partner at consultancy Carbon, Stuart joined Amadeus in support of its IPO and served as Group Communications Director after the flotation. He went on to run his own business up to its sale to the Troy Group, where he remains a Non-Executive Director.
Stuart is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a Fellow of the British Computer Society, a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute, a Chartered IT Professional, a Chartered Manager, a Freeman of the City of London, and holds a degree in theology from Oxford.
He has served on numerous company boards, on the synod and Bishop’s Council of the Diocese of Exeter, as a Governor of Petroc College in North Devon and as a Leadership Fellow of Exeter Business School. He is a Director of the Great South West Pan Regional Partnership, Chair of the region’s Innovation Board and Chair of the Exeter Science Centre Advisory Board.
Vince was born and raised in Torquay, Devon. After leaving school, Vince has completed a Diploma in Business Studies at South Devon College, a Higher National Certificate in Business Studies at Exeter College and a Diploma in Management Studies course at Plymouth Polytechnic.
Vince has forty years experience working in the holiday leisure sector. His first job was at Beeson’s Holiday Centre; when the Ladbroke Group acquired Beeson’s in 1981, it opened up a number of career opportunities for Vince. He spent the next eight years managing various holiday villages and catering concessions, including those located at Kew Gardens and the Tower of London. In 1990, he joined the Specialist Leisure Group.
During his career, Vince worked his way up through the ranks to become the Managing Director of Shearings Hotels, of the Specialist Leisure Group. As Managing Director of Shearings Hotels, he provided oversight of operations for 50 hotels located all around the UK, which had a turnover of circa £68M and employing over 1,600 staff. Vince retired from this role in October 2018.
Vince has been involved with an impressive number of Devon-based organisations, partnerships and Boards:
Paul Crawford is Chief Executive of LiveWest Ltd which, was formed through the merger of two housing associations, Devon and Cornwall Housing (DCH) and Knightstone Housing in March 2018.
As the largest housing association in the south west, LiveWest owns and manages over 37,500 homes and is also nationally one of the top ten largest developers of new affordable homes.
Paul started his career as a chartered surveyor and has worked in the housing association sector in various housing development and management roles for over 30 years. Paul has also worked in the south west for over 25 years and prior to joining LiveWest, his recent roles included Group Chief Executive and Managing Director for DCH and Sovereign Housing respectively.
With house prices typically10 times more than average salaries across the south west, Paul is passionate about ensuring that the provision of affordable housing of all tenures is seen as integral to supporting the region’s economic prosperity and a cornerstone of a well-functioning society.
Paul is a member of Liveable Exeter Place Board and former Chair of Homes for the South West (H4SW), a coalition of the largest housing associations in the south west committed to solving the regional housing crisis.
Helen HiggsHelen is Head of Construction Workforce Capability for EDF Energy nuclear new build projects working closely with supply chain, international projects on lessons learnt and cross sector major projects. Over the past 20 years she has led on delivery of effective workforce strategies for major nuclear projects across the nuclear cycle, providing the required capacity and capability for the business and projects whilst impacting social mobility and diversity.
She is currently Chair of the Board for National College for Nuclear whose mission is to support the development of the required workforce for nationally critical nuclear and connected Net Zero technology missions by providing the bridge between industry and education providers.
Helen spent 15 years as UK HR Director for French international nuclear company AREVA where she built strong ties with national skills bodies and Higher Education.
Before moving to nuclear, Helen ran a strategy consultancy supporting SMEs on growth plans and public organisations including universities and local councils, on strategic projects.
Helen is a Chartered Fellow of CIPD and CIM and is a qualified coach and mental health first aider. She is passionate about uniting business and work opportunities with disenfranchised groups, particularly young people and has volunteer roles as a mentor to young carers and as a member of Youth Justice Panels.
Ros Wyke Ros has had a successful career in Uk & International commercial operational management, a graduate and Chartered Company Director, a two-term Board Chairmen of Taunton & Somerset NHS Trust Director, an NHS non-executive director and former Leader of Mendip District Council.
She has served on a number of public sector and community organisations, and charities. In addition to supporting and promoting a diverse range of projects from architectural heritage, landscape and environmental protection, multi-user paths, to promoting dark skies in her community and saving the village shop with Community Interest company (CIC).
Her Lead Member responsibilities at Somerset Council include Economic Development, Regeneration Projects, Skills, Planning, Development Policy, and the diverse Council Assets.
Rufus GilbertI am elected as a County Councillor for the electoral division of Salcombe. I intend to serve the interests of all residents, regardless of political persuasion.
I became a Councillor out of a sense of duty and in the belief I have something to offer. I wholly believe in Public Service for the benefit of all.
My priorities are to serve my community wherever possible to the best of my ability.
During the 1970’s I spent my working life setting up oil exploration contracts globally, before coming to live in the South Hams in 1983. Since 1983 my wife and I have started and run various tourist related businesses, one of which we still own. I am still active within the local business community, alongside maintaining and letting various properties we own locally.
David RalphDavid 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.
To view a record of the declarations of interest for the LEP Board, please use this LINK to be redirected to the central location for all declarations of interest.
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership was one of 38 LEPs in England. The LEP was a leader and influencer for economic growth, job creation and prosperity across the Heart of the South West area covering Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.
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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.