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Freeports: zone brings together mix of assets

A Freeport zone focused on Devon is set to incorporate a mix of assets and along with pre-existing strengths of the area will help drive job creation and bolster the regional economy.

The proposed Freeport spreads from Exeter International Airport to Plymouth docks.

Led by the South West Business Council and Heart of the South West LEP working with a range of local authorities, the proposal brings together the assets of Exeter Airport, the sea port of Plymouth and the manufacturing-focused county that exists between the two. It is estimated to bring a potential 27,000 new jobs to the area.

Tim Jones, South West Business Council chairman, said: “You’ve got to go back to about 2012 since Freeports were abolished in the UK. But it’s a model that works really well. In the States they’re very commonplace.

“It’s the rounded nature of the package that I find very attractive about it – stimulation of investment, local supply chain development, and the tax break is really important in terms of encouraging the investment profile, and the R&D capability that comes with it. It’s the rounded nature of the package – it’s not just a linear model.

“We’re always looking for leverage in projects like this – a Freeport provides a really broad base of opportunities. There is the import/export element. But the ability to then develop some vertically-integrated businesses off the back of that is key – the raw material processing.”

He added: “The beauty of the peninsula economy is that we’re already well established as part of an integrated supply chain. That’s why this model works really well for us.”

The partnership will bring together more than a million square feet of port, airport, high value manufacturing and innovation and knowledge-intensive space, combining assets and strengths from a diverse range of partners, from the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, Associated British Ports and regional and city airports, to Yeovil helicopter manufacturer Leonardo and Devonport Dockyard operator Babcock Marine.

Eifion Jones, chief operating officer at Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said clean growth is one of the key priorities for the organisation.

“The two emerging Freeport propositions for the Heart of the South West have clean growth at their heart,” he said.

“Clean growth is very much what Gravity sets out to deliver, and the Plymouth/ Exeter/ Yeovil offer delivers marine autonomy and renewables and the future of low carbon flight.

“Clearly there’s a massive impact from Covid in all areas, but in the Heart of the South West in particular because of our sectoral mix. Whilst the virus numbers are relatively low in the South West, the economic impact is significant.

“So there’s a vital need to provide short-term support but also to make sure investment is in place for that longer term recovery. Creating new jobs and new opportunities for people and businesses will be key.”

He added: If we don’t try to build a different economy, next time there’s some sort of crisis – whether it’s a recession or a pandemic – again this area will be harder hit and take longer to recover than elsewhere. We must address our structural challenges.

“That’s not easy or quick, but things like Freeports, clean growth and high tech engineering are a central way of doing this.”

Insider is campaigning to back the various bids and provide an in-depth guide to the different locations, outlining what their credentials are and what the long-terms benefits to the economy will be.

We are also canvassing the views of the wider business community with a survey which allows our readers to have their say on the bids and how a Freeport would benefit their firm.

Click here to complete the survey.

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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.