Greater Connected, – Transforming Strategic Connectivity in South West England – is an independent, business led review on strategic priorities that has been produced by Jim French CBE and endorsed by the CBI and the five South West Local Enterprise Partnerships: Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly LEP; Dorset LEP; Heart of the South West LEP; Swindon & Wiltshire LEP; West of England LEP.

Its aim is to secure government investment in the three essential infrastructure requirements of the region: road, rail and broadband, and it outlines the opportunity for local and national government and business leaders to work together to make the case for investment in these priorities.

Greater Connected  was sent to government ministers ahead of the Autumn Statement with a view to securing the necessary investment in infrastructure, and it publicly affirms our collective ask to government.

We urge you to use this document to influence decision makers in your own activity and help the wider business community to encourage Westminster to commit to greater connectivity for the South West.

The full document from 2014 is available here and a printable summary document is available here

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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.