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New round of ERDF funding opportunities to be launched shortly

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The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) has recently been notified that a new round of ERDF funding opportunities will be launched shortly. We welcome this development and that our economies can continue to benefit from these monies. In support of these upcoming ERDF calls for project proposals, the HotSW LEP is holding an ‘ERDF Info Event’ on 7 December in Exeter. The event aims to help prospective applicants understand what is needed for a successful ERDF application and will feature speakers from the Department of Communities and Local Government who manage the ERDF programme.

The main event will provide potential ERDF applicants with information and networking opportunities in relation to anticipated upcoming ERDF calls for aerospace, linking students and graduates to industry, SME digital utilisation, investor readiness and low carbon activities. This will be followed by a session looking in more detail at the ERDF low carbon priority and associated funding opportunities.

The event is free to attend and places will be allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, with individuals able to register for the main event only or both the main event and the low carbon session.

For further information (including timings) and to register for the event, please click here.

The Heart of the South West ERDF Info Event is part-funded by ERDF and forms part of the Heart of the South West Technical Assistance Project and the Heart of the South West LEP Conversations.

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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.