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In my first bulletin as Chairman, I would like to reinforce the importance we place on putting business at the heart of future decision making. The Budget announcement set out the Government’s intention that the functions of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are to be delivered by local government in the future. We welcome this opportunity to work more closely with our local partners.
The LEP is central to convening all elements of the local economy in one place – industry, education, local government, health, policing and not-for-profit – to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth. This is what good growth means for our people and places and there is a strong appetite locally for this work to continue.
Like all business people, I like to be judged on results. That is why we are pushing full stream ahead with a highly ambitious programme. In my first interview as Chair, I set out my priorities for my first term in office. Over the next few months we will be consulting widely with a range of stakeholders on our new economic strategy; developing a Hertfordshire Film Office; kick-starting our start-up programme Get Enterprising and, very close to my heart, inspiring young people at our Generation careers events with our next stop at Knebworth Barns on the 24th of May. Do come along – I’d be delighted to welcome you!
Finally – I would like to thank my predecessor Mark Bretton whose dedication, energy and visionary leadership has left a positive legacy. I look forward to carrying on the great work undertaken by Mark and the entire LEP team.
Adrian Hawkins OBE, Chair, Hertfordshire LEP
Business
Support for Hertfordshire start-ups to 2025
Apply now for Hertfordshire LEP's Get Enterprising programme, which has been extended for a further two years. The programme provides 1-2-1 advice, workshops, networking and access to finance to help early-start businesses to grow and flourish within the county. Get Enterprising is delivered by business support experts Wenta.
Made in Herts: manufacturing in focus
Hertfordshire's world-class engineering and manufacturing companies are designing and developing the things people and places need, and inspiring tomorrow’s innovation, from robotics and AI to sustainability and beyond. Learn more.
Visit Herts secures new Government accreditation
Visit Herts has been recognised as one of England's top performing tourism boards, having been awarded ‘Local Visitor Economy Partnership’ status by VisitEngland. 15 destination management organisations were chosen as part of Government's campaign to grow the visitor economy.
Herts Big Weekend is back
Hertfordshire tourism businesses are invited to take part in Herts Big Weekend - Visit Herts' annual celebration of the attractions on our doorstep. The campaign promotes attractions to local residents with a chance for them to win free tickets, and participating businesses benefit from marketing opportunities. Register by noon on 8 May.
Celebrating Herts' tourism and hospitality sector
To mark English Tourism Week, which celebrates the value and contribution of the sector to the UK economy, local MPs Grant Shapps, Gagan Mohindra and Bim Afolami joined Visit Herts and Hertfordshire LEP on a tour of some of the county's attractions and hospitality businesses.
New business space launched at Rothamsted
Hertfordshire LEP investment has helped give two previously unused buildings on the Rothamsted campus in Harpenden a new lease of life as a world-class base for businesses operating in the growing agri-tech sector. This includes the Rothamsted Innovation Labs and Russell Building.
Places
£40m funding secured to decarbonise Herts homes
The funding, secured via seven successful bids to Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, will see energy-efficiency improvements worth more than £105m made to social housing properties across the county by September 2025. Learn more.
Exciting plans for Watford Business Park underway
The £20m major redevelopment project of ‘Inspire’ at Watford Business Park is now underway, with works taking place over the next year to create workspaces fit for the future. The project is supported by a £5m Local Growth Fund investment from Hertfordshire LEP.
Two Herts towns featured in LSH Vitality Index
Watford and Hemel Hempstead make the Top 10 in Lambert Smith Hampton’s UK Vitality Index for 2023 – an annual health check of towns and cities outside of London, which unveils the country’s best places to live and work, that have the strongest growth prospects.
People
Showcase your business at Generation Stevenage
Looking to strengthen your talent pipeline, connect with local schools and colleges, and highlight your opportunities to the next generation? Register as an exhibitor and reach over 500 students at our Generation Stevenage careers fair on 24 May, with Stevenage Development Board.
Catalyst South joins Digital Skills Partnership
Working with skills providers, leading technology companies and experts, the new partnership will help bridge digital skills gaps, providing access to the latest insights, tools and resources needed for employers and individuals to thrive in the modern world. Learn more.
Stevenage Innovation and Technology Centre (SITEC)
The newly launched STEM centre capitalises on Stevenage’s position in the 'Golden Triangle of R&D' and provides a space for local people to build the skills required by science and technology businesses. The centre was created by North Herts College, Stevenage Borough Council, and Hertfordshire LEP.
Generation Construction inspires industry hopefuls
Four workshops held simultaneously at North Herts, West Herts, Hertford Regional and Oaklands colleges gave over 300 students seeking careers in construction an insight into the industry and a chance to meet a range of local employers. Learn more.
Partner news
Apply now - Help To Grow: Management course
On Tuesday 25 April, the University of Hertfordshire is launching a fourth intake of its 90% Government-funded, 12 week course. The course is aimed at senior leaders at SMEs who are looking to grow their business, boost profits and become more resilient. Last few spaces remaining.
Events
PING Conference 2023
Monday 19 June 2023
Hatfield, 2pm – 9.30pm
Businesses and institutions across the life sciences ecosystem are invited to learn more about the major challenges facing the industry: MHRA in transition, VPAS/VPAG future, skills shortages and 'where's the space'? Sponsored by Hertfordshire LEP.
Unlocking the power of R&D funding
Thursday 4 May 2023
Webinar, 10am - 11am
Looking for support to fund R&D in your organisation? Attend this Hertfordshire Growth Hub webinar to learn how tax reliefs and grants could help your business to scale and grow.
