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Brexit Opportunities and Resilience Group update

The group was set up to gather evidence on the opportunities and risks of Brexit across Devon and Somerset. The third meeting was held this month and lots of work is underway.

Evidence is being collated on major projects in each local authority area which have stalled due to Brexit and we are also keen to understand where there may be opportunities emerging; some have responded with information and intelligence, and we invite those districts which haven’t responded yet to give us their views.

Plymouth City Council is providing some research and analysis support for the group and their first projects will be to look at the issues and opportunities around agriculture, construction and the labour market.

An online Knowledge Hub group has been initiated to share information and have discussions online, you can find it here https://goo.gl/DqHylA

We are also keen to receive anecdotal evidence from business visits, feedback from round table discussions, results of surveys you may have completed and any other intelligence you may have from your local area on the impact Brexit is having among your business community. Please contact Hattie Winter for more information or to join the knowledge hub group Hattie.winter@heartofswlep.co.uk 07785 454130.

We are particularly interested to hear from businesses in the construction sector, they are invited to take part in the Business Confidence Survey for Construction Businesses before 28 February.

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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.