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Heart of the South West Growth Hub Set to Launch

The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) announces the launch of the Growth Hub – Service for All contract which has been awarded to south west business support provider Peninsula Enterprise.

The Heart of the South West Growth Hub will launch in March and is available for all businesses, whatever size or sector, in the Heart of the South West area that covers Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. The aim of the new contract is to help over 4000 businesses in the three year period.

The Growth Hub will be a single point of contact, completely free at the point of access, for all businesses seeking advice and support on any issues relating to the operations and aspirations of their business; signposting to international, national or local resources.

Enquiries can be about anything that a business may want to ask; whether they are looking for information on new funding opportunities from grants or loans, where to go for tax advice or help with their expansion plans, innovation or export.

A core value of the Heart of the South West Growth Hub is to simplify the often confusing range of local and national, public and private sector business support services that are on offer in the UK, so that businesses can make an informed choice about what type of support is best for them.

The signposting service is offered free as part of the HotSW LEP’s Growth Deal funding, and the expert business support advisors will be on hand to deal with questions themselves or refer to experts in specialist areas.

The service will be accessible through a website, telephone line and face to face workshops and clinics taking place at enterprise and innovation centres across the HotSW area.

Providing a top-quality, seamless business support service is a major part of the HotSW LEP’s strategy to generate transformational economic growth through a range of initiatives that will help businesses in the Heart of the South West grow, including infrastructure improvement, skills development and inward investment.

Chair of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Steve Hindley, said:

“We are very proud and excited to make this announcement to launch our new Growth Hub. It’s a crucial piece in the jigsaw of economic growth that we are piecing together across the HotSW area; complementing the infrastructure schemes and skills development programmes that also make up our strategic funding portfolio.

“Peninsula Enterprise have first-hand experience of working with the diverse range of businesses in the HotSW area, so I have every confidence in their ambitions to deliver a robust service that is accessible to all.

“I urge businesses in Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay to contact the new Heart of the South West Growth Hub to find out what opportunities are available to them to help their business survive and thrive.”

Following a thorough procurement process, The Heart of the South West Growth Hub contract is awarded to Peninsula Enterprise for three years and they will work in partnership with the vast range of public and private sector partners, and supporting organisations such as chambers of commerce, universities, FE colleges and charities that make up the business support landscape on a local and national level.

Nick Ames, Chief Executive of SC Group, Heart of the South West LEP Board Member and Business Leadership Group Chair, who was integral to the concept and commissioning of the Growth Hub from a business perspective, said:

“HotSW LEP is very proud of its Growth Hub and very excited about the difference to productivity in the Heart of the South West that this unique new service will make. It has been designed to coordinate access to the full range of business support delivery so that there’s “no wrong door” for businesses to make contact through.

“HotSW businesses expect there to be a seamless and coordinated approach that will answer the needs of any growth query. I am confident that this service will provide that.”

Chris Redding, Peninsula Enterprise CEO said:   “We are delighted to be delivering the Growth Hub and look forward to working in partnership with business services across the Heart of the South West LEP area to help businesses receive the support they need to develop and flourish.”

Businesses can visit Heart of the South West Growth Hub or email info@heartofswgrowthhub.co.uk or telephone 03456 047 047 to register their interest with the Growth Hub Service.

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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.