Local Growth Fund End of Programme Report 2021

Through 2014 – 2021, the Heart of the South West LEP secured and deployed funding from each of the three rounds of Growth Deal provided by Government through a competitive bidding process which delivered to three of the priorities outlined in the HotSW Strategic Economic Plan. These were enhancing transport connectivity across the area, building on Hinkley C opportunities and maximising productivity, innovation and employment.

With spend on the Local Growth Fund (LGF) programme formally concluding in March 2021, this report provides an overview of what the money has achieved for the area, what remains to be delivered, lessons learned for future programmes and a summary of the remaining LEP investment programme as at August 2021.

Read the full report here.

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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.