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HotSW LEP Plans Task Force Measures Amid Flybe Collapse

Following the collapse of the regional UK airline Flybe, which is headquartered at Exeter Airport, the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership is taking part in an urgent response team led by Local Authorities and involving the airport, employee representatives, local businesses, educational establishments and Job Centre Plus to support Flybe employees.

 A co-ordination meeting with Exeter Airport and local partners will take place next Wednesday 11 March to build a business case for backing from the Department for Transport;  and to draw up an engagement plan with a clear list of the essential key routes that are crucial to the success of the Government’s nationally profiled levelling-up agenda. The group will also explore future opportunities at Exeter Airport including “freeport” status, competitive advantages from being part of an Enterprise Zones, and the development of smart aviation.

Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP, Karl Tucker said:

“Our immediate concern is for the staff of Flybe, and we’re working with our partners in the Local Authorities and employment organisations on redundancy arrangements and future employment opportunities.

“As a major employer in the Heart of the South West area, the loss of Flybe means that 1000 jobs are at risk; and in the wider context of robust regional connectivity – for which we’ve been a long-standing advocate – losing this service is a severe blow.

“We will continue to campaign for the re-balancing of our local economy following decades of under-investment in transport for the South West region, and we urge the Government to re-dress the balance in next week’s Budget and beyond in line with its Levelling-Up agenda, so that the focus is not just on the North.

“The Great South West partnership has issued a statement to this effect and to consolidate the message that improved connectivity for our area across all forms of transport can help us create transformational business opportunities and increase our contribution to the UK’s economy.”

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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.