Our Local Industrial Strategy was published in November 2020. This high level strategy is complemented by our Plan to Build Back Better, which brings our COVID-19 response into the LIS with the aim to create a more resilient, stronger and more prosperous areas.

The Progress Statements and Command Paper are published in our Understanding Our Economy section, along with the evidence base being referenced to shape a robust strategy. The LIS is strongly informed by The Heart of the South West Productivity Strategy – Stepping Up to the Challenge – published in spring 2018, and the  Prospectus #LivingBetter, launched at the Annual Conference in 2018,  which outlines the six key opportunities that have been developed in the area: Nuclear, Marine, Photonics, Big Data, High Value Tourism and Food, Farming and Fishing.

 

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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.