Latest News

Cresting the City Deal wave – Plymouth gets the go ahead

The role of Plymouth as a hub to drive the economy across the Heart of the South West is more assured with the announcement that the city has been shortlisted for City Deal status.

The Heart of the South West LEP has welcomed the news from the Government, which will enable Plymouth and its surrounding area to increase productivity through a variety of initiatives focused on marine technology and assets.

An invitation to apply for a City Deal was issued in mid summer to the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership and the City Council. Working in conjunction with partners including Devon County, Cornwall, Torbay Councils and district councils, the University of Plymouth and private sector firms including Princess and Babcock, a bid was created for submission to central government.

Tim Jones, Chair of Heart of the South West LEP said: “We are delighted that Plymouth is one of the preferred areas in this highly competitive second wave of bids.   Despite enormous growth potential, Plymouth has been performing well below its true capacity for many years, and many reasons. The city deal has meant we’ve all had to take a long hard look at the reasons for Plymouth’s decline, whilst assessing the opportunities for the area to exploit its strengths and take control of its own destiny.

“This deal is not just about Plymouth – it’s about a much wider area that can radiate the benefits across the entire peninsula. Plymouth has unique and fantastic marine assets – from the knowledge and research at the University, to clusters of internationally renowned company along with outstanding sites alongside the waterfront.  We also have some very committed and able partners in industry and academia who will be a vital part of achieving a long-term legacy.

“By capitalising on these resources we can build a much stronger proposition to both industry and government; one that will be able to deliver real growth and cultivate real ambition to succeed. It’s a great step forward for all of us in the South West.”

Councillor Tudor Evans, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “We’re very pleased the Government has supported our joint bid, which is all the stronger for being backed by key partners across the region.

“Our expression of interest involved an unprecedented amount of work with partners across the peninsula for mutual benefit.   We now intend to build these relationships to ensure that together we build on our strengths and become an economic force to be reckoned with.

“I would like to thank our colleagues from Devon and Cornwall councils, business and the local economic partnerships for their level of support so far and I looked forward to working with them on negotiating our City Deal with the Government.”

Plymouth now has nine months to further develop its plans and agree the final terms for a City Deal.

The City Deal plans to:

  • Support the development and commercialisation of fledgling marine science businesses by bringing together the knowledge, research and development facilities the university and private sector. This would nurture businesses and support them in commercialising research and accessing EU business growth programmes.
  • Use the potential to free up surplus MoD land such as South Yard in Devonport to create a marine technology production campus. This would enable marine related firms to link ideas, research, development and testing and enable large scale industrial production.
  • Develop an international investment and export pilot with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) to prepare and connect businesses with export markets.
Archives
OUR BOARD

Comprised of business leaders from across our key sectors, the LEP Board oversees the programme of infrastructure, business support and skills projects being delivered by 2025.

Find out more about our board >

LEP board meetings & documents >

Newsletter Sign-up






    Complete the short form and we will add you to our mailing list.

    We use MailChimp as our marketing automation platform. By clicking below to submit this form, you acknowledge that the information you provide will be transferred to MailChimp in the USA for processing in accordance with their Privacy Policy and Terms.

    Business engagement is really important to us. We handle and process all personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the Privacy & Electronic Communications Regulations. For further information please refer to our Privacy Policy.

    Send us a message


      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.