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Register Now For Our Free ERDF Info Event on 13th December in Bridgwater

In anticipation of the potential launch in December of a new ERDF funding opportunity for business support services / facilities to promote entrepreneurship and/or growth of SMEs in Somerset, the Heart of the South West LEP is organising a free ERDF Info Event from 14.00 to 16.30 (refreshments and registration from 13.30) on 13th December in Bridgwater.

The ERDF Info Event will seek to help prospective applicants get to grips with any ERDF call for proposals published in December and what is needed for a successful ERDF application. The event will feature speakers from the Department or Communities and Local Government (DCLG) who manage the ERDF programme.

The Heart of the South West LEP is now inviting organisations to register interest in this ERDF info event. Confirmation of ERDF funding opportunities and event arrangements will follow as soon as possible.

Who is the event for?

The Heart of the South West ERDF Info Event is aimed at organisations from across the public, private and voluntary sectors with the potential to bring forward ERDF applications for business support services / facilities to promote entrepreneurship and/or growth of SMEs.

ERDF monies are allocated across ‘Categories of Region’. For the Heart of the South West, the local authority areas of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay are classified as a ‘transition’ region, whilst Somerset is classed as a ‘more developed’ region. Any eventual ERDF call for proposals launched in December is expected to cover the more developed area of Somerset only.

Please note that, to be eligible for ERDF, applicants must be a legally constituted body and not an individual or sole trader.

What will be covered?

The event will include:

– An overview of ERDF activity in the Heart of the South West;

– Details of the latest ERDF funding opportunities;

– Information on ERDF application processes & requirements; and

– Opportunities to network and to identify potential partners.

How to register your interest in the event

The Heart of the South West ERDF Info Event is free to attend and is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 13th December in Bridgwater. The event will run from 14.00 to 16.30, with registration and refreshments from13.30.

Please click here to register your interest in the event

Confirmation of ERDF funding opportunities and event details will follow as soon as possible. For any queries in relation to the ERDF Info Event, please e-mail LEPAdmin@somerset.gov.uk

 

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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.