Introduction David Ralph, HotSW LEP CEO
This month we saw the Chancellor set out the Government’s new vision for prosperity, the ‘four Es’ – enterprise, education, employment and everywhere – a vision which still fails to set out a clear plan to push forwards for real growth.
This was also lacking in the Autumn Statement, particularly in accelerating clean growth. So Government are continuing to fall short of the ambitious and exciting vision both the country, places, businesses and hard-pressed communities need. I will be interested to see what is set out in the March Budget, and whether a stronger plan, with places at its heart, starts to emerge.
In the Heart of the South West, we’ve seen the first tenant join the Plymouth & South Devon Freeport, and the completion of new road improvements near Exeter Airport. The Growth Hub’s Thrive programme will be coming to an end on 31st March, so make sure to take advantage of this free business support.
We’ve also celebrated International Women & Girls in Science Day with a series of blogs by women across our area’s STEM community, and I am delighted to welcome two new Board members to our team.
David Ralph
Chief Executive
Help shape the future of the LEP
We work with businesses, Government and education to allocate funding, lead on economic growth, and be a voice for our region, as we aim to lead and influence on clean and inclusive growth, job creation and prosperity.
But we can’t do any of this without you. We have put together a short survey to feed into our strategy and communications, and ensure we are representing our region’s priorities. We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to share your views, and help shape the future of the LEP.
Meet our new Board members
We are delighted to welcome two new Board members to the LEP team; Helen Higgs, Head of Construction Workforce Capability at EDF Energy, and Mark Bolton, Principal and CEO at Yeovil College.
Helen works closely with the nuclear supply chain and international projects, and over the past 20 years has led on effective workforce strategies for major nuclear projects. Mark became CEO and Principal at Yeovil College in 2019, and is committed to developing the future workforce of the college’s local community and wider region.
LEP to attend UKREiiF Showcase
We are delighted to confirm our involvement in the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in May, where we will be taking part in a regional showcase session.
Set to take place in Leeds between the 16-18 May, the annual forum is designed to attract inward investment, generate economic growth, and drive a more sustainable and inclusive culture within the property and construction industries. Get your tickets here.
Freeport tenant lands multi-million pound contract
The Plymouth & South Devon Freeport is celebrating its first private sector investment announcement as Babcock secures a multi-million pound contract in partnership with Devon defence vehicle designer and manufacturer Supacat.
This contract will deliver 90 new jobs in Plymouth, and enables Babcock to expand their operations in the Freeport’s South Yard tax site.
Boost to East Devon economy
A £4.5m road enhancement scheme near Exeter Airport has been completed. The new access will help to boost East Devon’s economy, through provision of new jobs and opportunities for clean and inclusive growth.
The enhancements unlock development of the new 19 acre Power Park site, part of the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone, and is expected to create around 1,000 jobs. The scheme improves access to Exeter Airport, a major gateway to the region, and will also help to enable the construction of the forthcoming France-Aldernay-Britain interconnector project.
Last chance to help your business Thrive
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub’s Thrive programme can support your business by offering free support on increasing turnover, growing your business, business planning, finance and much more.
Thrive will be coming to an end on 31st March 2023, so if you still haven’t taken advantage of this free support programme, (or if you haven’t completed your 12 hours of support) now is the time.
Green Business Grants available
Applications for Green Business Grants, the first of five projects to be launched with funding from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), are now open to Teignbridge companies.
Companies can apply for grants ranging from £3,000 – £25,000 to pay for things like LED lighting, low energy heating systems, heat pumps, double/triple glazed windows and doors or thermal insulations.
Digital support for SMEs
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub‘s new digital support service connects you to the support you need to help take your business digital. The service offers a range of free digital guides, resources and tools so you can benefit from the digital transformation.
Get in touch with the Growth Hub team to receive their free digital guides, and find out more about their digital support service.
Digital support for SMEs
The Heart of the South West Growth Hub‘s new digital support service connects you to the support you need to help take your business digital. The service offers a range of free digital guides, resources and tools so you can benefit from the digital transformation.
Get in touch with the Growth Hub team to receive their free digital guides, and find out more about their digital support service.
Sustainable transport for business
We are delighted to be sponsoring the Somerset Business Climate Summit’s upcoming free workshop, Sustainable Transport for Business, online on 8th March. Register to find out how your business can achieve sustainable transport solutions.
Our Transport Lead, Ian Harrison, will be speaking at the event, sharing insights into a regional Carbon Transition Strategy and Regional Freight Strategy.
South West Agri-Tech Showcase
South West Agri-tech is holding a conference at Exeter Racecourse on 20th April. It will feature a range of outdoor robotic and drone demonstrations, an indoor market place with dedicated networking time, and high profile speakers.
The event will help profile some of the exciting research, development and commercially available technology in the region.
Great South West to hold Somerset launch
The Great South West Partnership is hosting a series of events across the region to update on its emerging ambitions and priorities, how people can get involved, and how a Partnership working at this geography and scale can add real value.
Join the Great South West for its Somerset launch event on 29th March in Taunton, where the Partnership will be sharing the Great South West’s emerging ambitions and priorities for the region.
£5.3m upgrades to Dunball roundabout begin
Work to upgrade one of Somerset’s busiest roundabouts is officially under way. The Dunball roundabout links junction 23 of the M5 to Bridgwater via the A38 Bristol Road, as well as handling traffic from the A39 to and from Glastonbury.
Somerset Council and Sedgemoor District Council have jointly developed plans to turn the roundabout into a signalised “throughabout” to improve traffic flows and support increased connectivity in the area.
Celebrating women in STEM
In celebration of International Women & Girls in Science Day, we hosted a blog series featuring women from across the Heart of the South West‘s STEM sectors.
The series included insights and advice from Judith Petts, Vice Chancellor at the University of Plymouth; Bryony Venn, Materials Engineer at Leonardo; Lisa Roberts, Vice Chancellor at the University of Exeter; Claire Pearce, Director at Salamanca Group; Sally Basker, CEO at Exeter Science Park; and Sam Barrell, Deputy CEO at the Francis Crick Institute.
The UK's plan for growth
The Chancellor’s new vision for prosperity fails to set out a clear plan for real growth, and falls short of the ambitious, local plan our areas need to thrive. But what could a proper plan look like?
In this month’s blog, our CEO David Ralph sets out what a plan for growth could look like: “A strong plan must have places at its heart, focussing on their local distinctive strengths and giving them the freedom to do things differently. “
