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HotSW LEP’s Annual Conference & AGM at Sandy Park Conference Centre, Exeter, Monday 12th November

The Heart of the South West LEP Annual Conference and AGM is an opportunity to meet with the wider LEP partnership and to network with other stakeholders.

It’s a free event that is aimed at the private, public, education and third sectors, and will include an update on the economic issues for the area and a look at what is planned for the future. This year, the focus will be around the implementation of the Action Plan for the area’s Productivity Strategy and these sessions (including the LEP’s AGM) will be in the afternoon.

Delegates can  find out about a range of free business support, including the latest help around digital technology. Support will also be available throughout the morning from the HotSW Growth Hub.

Demand  is expected to  be high, therefore delegates are encouraged to register here early.

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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.