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Final call for Mobile Boost applications

Final applications to Connecting Devon and Somerset’s successful Mobile Boost scheme should be submitted by Tuesday 28 February, ahead of the scheme drawing to a close at the end of March.

The initiative has so far invested more than £1,031,000 to help those in the region who cannot receive an adequate indoor 4G mobile signal.

To date, more than 1,490 homes and businesses across Devon, Somerset, Torbay and Plymouth have benefited from the scheme which provides vouchers worth up to £1,200 to support applicants with the cost of installing a mobile signal booster from registered suppliers.

Final installations need to be completed by Friday 31 March. This includes anyone who may have already received a voucher through the scheme but not yet used it.

Karl Tucker, Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, said: “It has been fantastic to see over a thousand homes and businesses benefit from improved mobile signal through the successful Mobile Boost Scheme. This initiative has been an important step in improving connectivity across the Heart of the South West, and we are delighted to have supported the scheme as part of our ambitions to promote business growth, collaboration, inclusivity and innovation.”

Councillor Mike Rigby, CDS Board Member and Somerset Council Lead Member for Transport and Digital, said: “The Mobile Boost scheme has been a tremendous success and it’s enabled almost 1,500 people and businesses across the region to benefit from a better 4G mobile signal. That’s a great result which can make a genuine difference to our local economy.”

Councillor Rufus Gilbert, CDS Board Member and Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery and Skills, said: “This investment has helped to improve connectivity for many homes and businesses across Devon and Somerset, which is really good news. The scheme has had a direct impact and it is ensuring that rural areas in the region can receive a mobile phone service which is taken for granted by many people today.”

Additional funding through the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s (HotSWLEP) Growth Deal enabled the scheme to continue to meet demand in the early part of this year.

For more information visit the Mobile Boost pages of the CDS website.

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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.