Marches LEP highlights year of action in new annual report

October 21, 2019

The organisation driving economic growth across the Marches has spelled out ambitious plans for the next 12 months in its new annual report.

Launch of the 2019 Annual Report.
Frank Myers, Gill Hamer and David Hitchner.

The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership – the business-led body which brings together the private and public sectors to deliver accelerated growth across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin – launched the new report at two special consultation events.
The report details some of the LEP’s key work over the last 12 months as well as laying out its ambitious plans to help build continued prosperity across the region for the coming year.
New Marches LEP chair Mandy Thorn said the report showed how the LEP’s ability to forge a partnership between business and the public sector was delivering impressive results.
“Over the past 12 months the LEP has helped deliver millions of pounds of investment into this region, invested significantly in training our learners in the latest skills and technologies, set ambitious targets for economic growth over the next 20 years and also drawn up an energy plan which can help safeguard our environment whilst delivering the power our businesses need.
“The next 12 months will see the opening of the new Cyber Quarter – Midlands Centre for Cyber Security at our enterprise zone in Hereford, work starting on the hugely important Newport Innovation Park and the renovation of Shrewsbury’s Flaxmill Maltings nearing completion.
“We will also deliver our Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) to Government, setting out some of the key priorities and challenges facing this region as we continue to build prosperity for all.”
The report – available to download here – was launched at special LIS consultation events with businesses in Hereford and Shrewsbury.
The Have Your Say – Grow Our Economy workshops gave businesses the chance to have their input into the plan, which will help unlock millions of pounds of future investment in the region.
“We were delighted to see so many businesses at the events because it is vital our LIS accurately reflects their experience of growth and investment opportunities across the area.
“We have been able to strengthen our evidence base supporting the LIS as a result of the excellent input at both events, meaning the final document will be all the more powerful when we deliver it to Government in the new year.”

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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