LEP’s positive impact on local economies showcased

THE Heart of the South West (HotSW) LEP held its fourth conference and AGM at Sandy Park in Exeter, with more than 300 delegates attending.

The event showcased the LEP’s achievements with its £750 million portfolio of investment that are making a significant impact on the economies of the HotSW area – Devon, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset – which was illustrated in the 2018 annual report presented at the event.

LEP chairman Steve Hindley gave a round-up of what the LEP has achieved since its inception in 2011, and the impact it is already having through its programme of delivery.

Looking forward, chief executive David Ralph said the LEP’s priority was to increase this momentum of impact and harness its new strengths and influence following the review of LEPs this year, and the fact that HotSW is part of the Government’s second wave of industrial strategies. This means the area is near the “front of the queue” for Westminster backing.

He said this LEP can aim to be the “best in class” and with its selling points of prime opportunities in key sectors and its unrivalled natural cap- ital. The Heart of the South West prospectus was launched at the event – it showcases the major economic opportunities in the sectors of nuclear, marine, photonics, big data, food, farming and fishing and high value tourism.

The HotSW growth hub hosted the morning’s proceedings, chaired by the growth hub’s programme and partnership manager, David Hynd, who outlined the various forms of support available through the growth hub, and how it acts as a brokerage service as well as providing direct one-to-one support through its fully-funded package of free support for start-ups.

David Ralph presented on the LEP’s impact and achievements since 2014, which was followed by a panel Q&A session about plans for Brexit with Whitehall speakers from the Local Government Association, the Ministry for Communities and Local Government, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Homes Office, alongside HotSW chair of the Brexit Resilience and Opportunities Group, the regional director of the NFU and the HotSW LEP chair.

Mr Hindley said: “I couldn’t be more proud of our fantastic place to live and work – a message that’s in- exceptional football academy student who despite his personal challenges has progressed from level 2 to level 3. Kyle is an incredibly proud and popular member of the college’s sports cohort and contributes to all aspects. Last year he played his first competitive football match, and this year Kyle was made captain of the Pro:Direct Football Academy’s third team.

Leading by example, Kyle is an exceptional student and a role model for all.

Principal of South Devon College, Stephen Criddle said: “The Further Education Student Awards Ceremony is always a high point of the year at the college, where we can congratulate students who have achieved local, regional and even national success. While all students who pass their chosen course have good reason to creasingly getting across to businesses investing from outside the area and our friends in Westminster.

“At our fourth annual conference I am pleased to say that we’re on track for delivery of all of our fantastic infrastructure, employment and skills projects.

“With our partners in the HotSW joint committee we’ve launched our new Prospectus – with the theme of #LivingBetter – which showcases the area’s prime economic opportunities for raising productivity and therefore prosperity for all in the Heart of the South West.” celebrate, we believe it is important to acknowledge those who have done exceptionally well, going above and beyond the expectations of their qualifications. I know colleagues and governors will join me in wishing all our students a bright future, as we eagerly await seeing what they will go on to achieve next.”

The Further Education Student Awards were followed by the Staff Awards Ceremony where over 550 attendees applauded those staff in gaining further academic and technical lifelong learning qualifications, college values awards and team awards.

The awards included a key opportunity to recognise the great contributions made from staff reaching long service anniversaries with landmarks of five, 10, 15 and 20 years of dedicated service shown to the college.