GB15 – iAero

The iAero Centre is an emerging 2,400 square metre innovation centre facility in Yeovil designed to provide high-quality space, equipment and support services to foster innovation and collaboration in the aerospace sector and supply chain and, thereby, drive its competitiveness and growth.

The iAero Centre Fit Out and Support Project is being led by Somerset Council and is receiving up to £362,723 of investment from the Getting Building Fund as well as contributions from Somerset Council and the European Regional Development Fund. The project will enable the fit out the iAero Centre and delivery of innovation support services to small and medium sized enterprises in, or seeking to move into, the aerospace sector and supply chain. 25 businesses are expected to receive support and, by the end of March 2025, 8 jobs are expected to be created as a direct result of the iAero Centre Fit Out and Support Project.

 

Getting Building Funding: £0.36m

Completion date: March 2024

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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.