Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable, has made his first visit to a Local Enterprise Partnership area, meeting with representatives from the Heart of the South West, in Exeter today.

Dr Cable came to the Innovation Centre at Exeter University to meet the newly appointed board for the Heart of the South West (HOTSW), which covers Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay.

The Board has also agreed its new Chair. The successful candidate is Tim Jones, a chartered surveyor and commercial property developer, with many other business interests, from Devon.  He will take over from Jeremy Filmer-Bennett, and will be supported by Frances Brennan as Vice Chair, who is from Working Links.

The Minister congratulated the newly elected Chair, Tim and Vice Chair , Frances, on their respective positions and thanked the members of the partnership’s steering group and Board for their work in forming the partnership.

He said: “ The Heart of the South West is an inspiring example of a dynamic partnership between the private and public sector which is supporting business and communities to transform the economy of the two counties.

“ By working collaboratively across economic, geographical and local authority boundaries, the partnership can transcend traditional lines and constraints. Led by the private sector it will deliver a fresh perspective that will create new and exciting scope for economic growth.”

Tim Jones said: “As new Chair of the partnership, we were delighted to meet Dr Cable and discuss our role and aims of the Heart of the South West.

“It has given us a unique platform to present the issues and discuss some of the solutions for the area, and gain insight into how the Government will see partnerships evolving.

“We were pleased we could debate some of the concerns facing our counties, from the challenges for small businesses here to the opportunities for renewables and low carbon industry.”

 “I’d also like to thank Jeremy Filmer-Bennett for his sterling work in setting up the partnership. It is clear that it could not  - and would not – have been managed without him and it is testament to his outstanding diplomatic skills that we have been able to bring public and private sector together as a cohesive and ambitious partnership that is intent on success. “

Acting Chair, Jeremy Filmer-Bennett said: “I am very happy to be handing over the reins to Tim and Frances. The Board has voted for a Chair who will be able to take the partnership through these initial exciting stages, and deliver a solid and robust foundation for the future.

“ It has been a great honour to coordinate the group and see it progress. It has moved from initial informal discussions and proposals into a structured and powerful entity that has real potential to succeed. I wish the partnership every continuing success.”

More information on the work of the Heart of the South West LEP is on www.heartofswlep.co.uk
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