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Construction Starts on £8m EPIC

Construction began last week of the new Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) in Torbay, which is partly funded by £3m from HotSW LEP’s Growth Deal.

EPIC will build on the strengths of the hi-tech sector in Torbay and provide a centre of excellence for photonics and electronics businesses across the whole of the Heart of the South West.

The £8m project comprises a purpose-built hi-tech innovation centre, along with car parking, landscaping and accompanying estate road.

The facility will promote collaborative activity between businesses and research institutions, while accommodating and supporting start-up and spin-off companies and foreign direct investment relevant to the microelectronics and photonics sector.

Local Growth Minister, Jake Berry, said: “Torbay is a shining example of how Government’s Local Growth funding is providing new and exciting economic opportunities for communities across the country. Delivered with support from the Heart of the South West Local Economic Partnership, this new Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre will help put Torbay on the map for technological innovation and cutting-edge research while supporting local businesses and attracting investment.”

EPIC will provide open market access to purpose built hi tech facilities and specialist equipment to support R&D, prototyping, innovation and collaboration in emerging technologies, and developing new intellectual property.

Construction will be complete and ready for EPIC to be open in Spring 2019. For more information visit  www.torbaydevelopmentagency.co.uk/projects/regeneration/epic

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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.