Work set to begin on new sustainable hotel at Exeter Science Park
26th June 2023
The first ‘spade in the ground’ has marked the building of a new sustainable net zero hotel on the edge of Exeter. Zeal Hotels has
The first ‘spade in the ground’ has marked the building of a new sustainable net zero hotel on the edge of Exeter. Zeal Hotels has
The new Marsh Barton Railway Station will open to the public on Tuesday 4 July 2023. The £16 million project has been delivered by Devon
The ambitious vision for the Great South West, the region’s Powerhouse Partnership, has been set out at a key event in Devon. More than 80
A wide range of industry experts and partners gathered on 8 June to celebrate the hugely successful first year of the iAero aerospace centre in
By David Bird, LEP Board member Our Meet Our Members series gives an insight into the Heart of the South West LEP Board members, their
Introduction David Ralph, HotSW LEP CEO This month we have launched our new brand video highlighting some of the organisations and projects we support to drive prosperity, productivity
A vital scheme linking Taunton’s train station car park and Firepool development to the town’s road network with cycling provision and bus services is now
A new training programme has been launched to help small businesses in the region to improve their digital capabilities. Digital Leadership for SMEs (small and medium
The Heart of the South West LEP has amended its Articles to ensure stability and continuity during the upcoming transition period. In April 2023 Heart
A wide range of industry experts and partners gathered on 8 June to celebrate the hugely successful first year of the iAero aerospace centre in
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.