The Strategic Economic Plan was submitted to Government on 31 March 2014. In the plan, we outline our strategic ambitions for the area and how we will achieve our goal of making the Heart of the South West the place of choice to live, work, learn, visit and invest. Alongside the plan, we are making case for a share of the Government’s national Local Growth Fund which will result in a Growth Deal for each of the 39 LEP areas.
These plans were submitted to Government on 31 March 2014.
In formulating the Strategic Economic Plan, we consulted with business, education, the public and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector, taking views in person, through consultation events and surveys. The LEP’s response to the consultation outlines some of the ways in which the document has changed from the draft version which was issued in December.
Draft documents, which were issued in December, are included below for reference purposes.
For further information about the Local Growth Fund and the process and timetable for developing Strategic Economic Plans, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/growth-deals-initial-guidance-for-local-enterprise-partnerships.
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.