The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 46: Dec/Jan 2019 | Page 14

SWLEP
SWLEP
John Mortimer’s
Year in Review
2019 has been an exciting year for the Swindon &
Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Following the Board’s agreement to set up an incorporated
structure in 2018, we are now a business, but not-for-profit
company limited by guarantee. We incorporated on 14th
January and took over full responsibility from 1st April 2019.
Our first Board meeting as a limited company was in May
and following a recruitment campaign, we appointed seven
Directors in July. The new members took up their roles with
immediate effect and this now takes the number of people on
the Board to 17.
We were delighted with the number of high-quality
applications we received from our Board Director campaign
and believe this is a reflection of how well our Local
Enterprise Partnership is engaged with our innovative
projects and programmes across our region. Our new Board
Directors with their expertise and backgrounds, will provide
creative ideas, skills and energy to further cement the bright
future for our area and the part it plays in making the UK
economy a success.
A major project this year has been the foundation work in
preparation for our Local Industrial Strategy. A huge amount
of work has been done; the South West Rural Productivity
Commission, the South West Science and Innovation Audit,
14
www.tbeswindonandwilts.co.uk
the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Economic Assessment, the
Higher Education Strategy, Apprenticeship Strategy, Digital
Capabilities Strategy, Cyber Resilience and Science, Energy
and Rail Strategy.
All of which lay the foundations for the conclusions that
we are drawing about what we need to include. So far, our
strategy is receiving compliments from central Government
for its thoroughness.
Honda’s move to pull out of Swindon is disappointing, but
the decision has been made and we need to look to building
a new future. I would like to play tribute to the previous
Secretary of State, Greg Clark, for his direct involvement in
the process and his willingness to draw all parties together
to make sure we move forwards in the most constructive
way, both initially for the associates and the supply chain.
The Honda site creates a huge opportunity for Swindon and
Wiltshire and is a great magnet to attract investment, which
we hope will be around advanced engineering and digital
industry of the future.
I am passionate about supporting the 29,000 registered
businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire. The vast majority of
these are micro, or small to medium- sized enterprises which
provide the backbone to the £19 billion economy generated
locally. Brexit is continuing to bring unknown challenges and
business resilience is key. My message to you all is to have
confidence, aspire to be the best and use all the resources
you can to keep up to speed and at the cutting edge of what
you do. Look to us for help and support and make use of the
Swindon & Wiltshire Growth Hub created for you.
I encourage you to be proud and shout when you can about
the great things that happen here and the fantastic place it is
to do business.
John Mortimer, Chair, Swindon & Wiltshire Local
Enterprise Partnership