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Inward Investment success in the Heart of the South West

Over 85 high value jobs and £3million investment will be generated over the next 3-years across Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay thanks to the Invest in the Heart of the South West Inward Investment service.

Funded by the Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal, the service has created tailored packages for companies considering relocation.

The Heart of the South West (HotSW) area is increasingly a destination of choice for growing companies from the UK and overseas.   They are attracted by the well established advanced engineering, manufacturing and technology clusters that are supported by innovative research and development from world leading colleges and universities and a highly skilled labour supply.

Julia Stuckey, Heart of the South West Inward Investment Manager said: “The Investor Growth and Soft Landing grants have helped us attract and support SMEs relocating or expanding in the HotSW area. The funding pays for potential investors to visit HotSW and meet the team, enabling us to showcase the area’s significant potential for growing businesses; and to support a company’s relocation and growth, creating new jobs and investment in the local economy.”

Patrick Hartop, Head of City Deal said: “Investment from the Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal is already making a substantial difference to our ability to attract companies into the area. With the development of South Yard and the Marine Industries Campus, we are seeing a level of interest that can only cement our global reputation for excellence in marine industries.”

Successful grant recipients include:

  • TePe, a Swedish company that designs and manufactures oral hygiene products. The grant will assist with the cost of moving its UK division to larger premises in Somerset, an investment of almost £2 million.
  • US-based BB Photonics, which has landed in Torbay, investing over £1million in total, further strengthening the network of hi-tech photonics and electronics companies in South Devon.
  • Imaginative Cuisine is moving its manufacturing operation to Somerset and investing over £200,000 in the local area.
  • US-based Assure Controls are setting up marine technology and training projects in Brixham and Torbay. They are investing over £100,000, and reinforcing established links between the Heart of the South West and the USA’s marine and maritime industries.
  • Somerset’s Wiseman Energy Ltd are importing innovative wind turbine designs from the US in a £500,000 plus investment.
  • Prodek has relocated to introduce pioneering construction, roofing and specialist hydrophobic coatings products, investing over £80,000 in Devon.
  • South African signage and display holder company Barkermad has now opened a branch in Exeter and will be investing over £100,000 in the upcoming year
  • MSubs, a US-owned marine industries specialist in autonomous systems, is now operating in Plymouth. The grant has aided a £100,000 project to expand capability, grow the product range and increase productivity, creating at least 10 highly-skilled jobs.

Richard Hill, Business Development Manager of MSubs said: “With close ties to Plymouth City Council and Plymouth University, and with the news that Plymouth’s South Yard is soon to become a Marine Industries Enterprise Zone, being located in the Heart of the South West is pivotal to MSubs future growth.”

Michael Boyd, UKTI Managing Director said: “Overseas companies are attracted by such a strong network of business support. With UKTI’s presence overseas, the specialist sector teams in-country and the Heart of the South West partnership all focused on one goal, to attract, support and maintain high value inward investment, we are in a strong position to win even more investment for the UK.”

The Invest in the Heart of the South West Inward Investment service was established in July 2015. Supported by the Regional Growth Fund Plymouth and South West Peninsula City Deal and the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. The service works with public and private sector partners to attract companies and stimulate growth in the area. UKTI’s Inward Investment team plays a vital role in the Heart of the South West Inward Investment partnership’s success.

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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.