GD42C – 5G Smart Sound, Plymouth

The aim of the Growth Deal Digital Extension 2020 (GDDE20) funding is to improve accessibility, productivity, innovation and business competitiveness across the Heart of the South West (HotSW) Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area and this submission offers a 5G testbed to improve and enhance connectivity for the marine and maritime sectors accessing and testing technology within Smart Sound Plymouth (SSP).

The Marine and Maritime sectors and the business and jobs that are supported are an important part of the economy for Plymouth and the south west and form part of what makes Plymouth a unique Ocean city.

SSP is ideally suited to deliver a maritime 5G demonstrator due to the critical mass of leading maritime industry and academia partners in the city and support wider digital infrastructure development across the city and South West.

The focus is on delivering real outcomes to opportunities and challenges identified by the marine and maritime sector to support business growth through the exploitation of the emerging 5G technology. We will do this through 5G connectivity and applications, improving connectivity and positively impacting GVA and safeguarding local business in the sector.

Growth Deal Funding: £1.8m

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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.