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A Chief Executive to Lead the Heart of the South West LEP Towards Prosperity for All

***Applications closed***

The Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership is looking for a new chief executive to start in the summer following the retirement of Chris Garcia, who has led one of England’s most successful LEPs for five years.

The role demands a high calibre candidate for this increasingly pivotal role in the HotSW economy, which covers Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.

Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, Steve Hindley CBE DL, said: “We’re a strong business-led partnership between the private sector, social enterprises, local authorities, universities and colleges throughout Devon and Somerset and the unitary areas of Plymouth and Torbay, making us one of the largest LEPs in the country, so we’re looking for strong leadership and talent.

“Across the HotSW area, there’s a mix of urban and rural economies, stunning natural capital, rich heritage and a tremendously exciting range of business opportunities.

“We’ve established an impressive track record with a £750m investment programme to support our mission to see better productivity and better jobs; and we’re poised to launch a new delivery plan for a step change in productivity.

“The role of LEPs is increasing as we become firmly aligned with the delivery of the government’s Industrial Strategy, our funding is secured for at least another two years, and we’ll now have regular meetings with the Prime Minister.

“I look forward to meeting some exceptional applicants for this exciting role as HotSW LEP enters the next phase in its journey towards prosperity for all.”

Applications are open until 16 February and a candidate briefing pack is available at: www.heartofswlep.co.uk/news

 

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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.