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Great South West ‘blue and green’ vision shared at Devon event

The ambitious vision for the Great South West, the region’s Powerhouse Partnership, has been set out at a key event in Devon. 

More than 80 representatives from business, education, national and local Government gathered at Exeter College’s Future Skills Centre, for the second event in a series of regional launches.

The Great South West is a pan-regional partnership covering the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset. It is led by business and focused on delivering a larger and more productive economy, unlocking the potential of the region’s green and blue economies, and driving investment into the region.

Karl Tucker, Chair of the Great South West, gave an update on the Partnership’s emerging ambitions and priorities, how people can get involved, and how a Partnership working at this geography and scale can add real value, particularly at a time of significant challenges facing our business and communities, and opportunities across our blue and green economies.

Karl Tucker said: “It was a great opportunity to update delegates on the progress we’ve made with the ‘blue and green’ economy.

“The Great South West holds significant relevance for the UK as it contributes to achieving our net-zero targets, enhancing food security and resilience, and positioning us as a global leader in environmental science and innovation. The Great South West presents us with excellent prospects as a region, advocating the necessary investment to fulfil our ambition of becoming the UK’s Natural Powerhouse, leveraging our distinct blue and green economy to open up jobs, drive investment, and boost our economy.”

Delegates included representatives from Parliament, South West Business Council, Tech South West, Whistl, Pennon Group, Babcock International, South West Railway, Cross Country Trains, Celtic Sea Power, South Devon College and the University of Plymouth.

Further events are being planned throughout the region, aimed at providing businesses and other organisations with updates on the Great South West’s developing ambitions and priorities. The events encourage people to get involved with the Partnership’s vision to become the country’s cleanest region.

Find out more about the Great South West.

 

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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.