Tag: Lucy Winskell

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Continued aspirations for the North East – how the North East LEP’s work will live on in the new world

From its inception, the North East LEP has ensured that the voice of the business community has been integral to decision making. This remains a priority as we begin a new era with the establishment of the new North East Combined Authority, says Chair Lucy Winskell.

Cast your mind back to the early days of the North East LEP. Tasked with creating the blueprint for improving the regional economy that would become affectionately known as our Strategic Economic Plan (SEP), we were fortunate to have a solid foundation to build upon, as we took the baton from some great people and projects at One North East.

Twelve years have passed since then and the LEP’s people, capabilities and knowledge have continued to grow and develop, and we have seen many of those initial projects (plus many more) come to fruition.

We’re about to move into a new era of regional governance, but again, we have so much to build on as our region continues to evolve.

As with any period of change, I have spent some time looking back at the LEP’s achievements, and I am proud at how diverse and far reaching they have been.

We have been successful, despite hugely competitive funding rounds, in bidding for the Getting Building Fund and the Local Growth Fund, along with establishing the North East Investment Fund, using both Regional Growth Fund and Growing Places resources to create a long-term legacy fund.

We have helped guide the strategic investment of circa £500m from European Funding to support our economic plan, making sure that this complemented and added value to regional funds.

£270m of Local Growth Funding has enabled delivery of a range of strategic capital projects across the region, creating over 11,100 new jobs, 34km of new and improved cycleways, 14km of new roads and 420,000sqm of new and refurbished commercial floorspace.

In 2020 the North East LEP was awarded £47m from government’s Getting Building Fund for local infrastructure projects to support the region’s recovery from the Coronavirus pandemic.

Six of the 20 public and private sector-led projects were included in a ‘Commercial Property Investment Fund’ pilot initiative that has since led to the launch of the regional Commercial Property Investment Fund, replacing the North East Investment Fund. This just shows how the North East LEP has been able to act quickly in times of market need to support organisations, from the smallest size up.

We have been able to support the region’s cultural sector, from the Auckland Castle ‘Welcome Building’ to The Sill, Northumberland National Park’s visitor centre on Hadrian’s Wall.

In our urban areas we have supported fantastic new community facilities including the Eagles Arena on Scotswood Road, the Beacon of Light in Sunderland and NUCastle in Newcastle city centre, all of which are engaging our young people, building their confidence, aspirations and offering employment support.

Let’s not forget the excellent work carried out through the Enterprise Zones, a £155m infrastructure investment programme to date, which, with the Local Growth Fund, has benefited key regional assets such as the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, the District Energy Centre at Newcastle Helix and Northumberland Energy Park – all central to growing sectors of our economy and attracting business investment.

It hasn’t all been about funding – the commitment of the board to partnership working has been exemplary. The strength and commitment of the Local Authority Leaders has been commendable. With their talented finance directors and economic regeneration directors, what a team effort it has been.

There has been exceptional value from the representatives from higher and further education and the voluntary sector, all of which are equal voices on that board. The fact that we have attracted national operators from the private sector has demonstrated a real vote of confidence in our leadership. Throughout the years constructive debate and diverse perspectives have enabled us to succeed even in the most challenging times.

Not every opportunity ended up with a win for our region – not being awarded North East England Freeport status in 2021 hit us hard, despite submitting an incredibly strong, innovative and collaborative bid. But even in our disappointment, we learned from this process and used it to help us secure funding for investment zones and a collaborative green super port.

I’ve been to some very unglamourous places in my time – supporting the creation of routes where future roads ‘might’ go, and visiting disused pits to discuss heat pumps and mine energy – but all these things are critical for the future, and it has been my pleasure to champion and support them.

Our Business Growth team has had some incredible achievements. Its Scaleup North East programme, initiated because insight showed it would have a disproportionate impact on productivity and job creation, has helped us become one of the regions with the highest scaleup rates, having previously had the lowest.

The Skills team has been equally influential. Thanks to its pioneering work through North East Ambition, the North East LEP is firmly on the map as an international exemplar in career guidance.

It’s a fact that the North East LEP has always been regarded nationally as one of the highest performing LEPs in the country. We have consistently worked within our budgets and achieved a lot with a very lean team, because we have recruited the best. We have had a key role working with other pan-regional bodies such as NP11 and Transport for the North and been an influential voice within the LEP Network.

The LEP Board in the early days will become the Business Board of the new Combined Authority and I have the privilege of continuing as interim chair until the mayor and cabinet have the opportunity to review interim working arrangements.

What has been made abundantly clear is that the views of business will continue to be integral to all decision-making. Critically, throughout the transition to this new authority, I am confident and excited about the future of our region and I am sure, like the LEP did 12 years ago, the new North East Combined Authority will continue to build on solid foundations and seize every possible opportunity for our region to thrive.

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Levelling Up – Statement from our Chair, Lucy Winskell OBE.

Lucy Winskell OBE, Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), responds to the Levelling Up announcement issued by government today, Wednesday 2 February 2022.

We welcome the publication of the Levelling Up White Paper and government’s commitment to reducing the economic and social disparities across the UK. The North East currently has the highest unemployment rate in England, yet has huge opportunities through its assets, businesses, and people to change that. With the right level of investment and partnership working with government, we can make a difference to the economic and social wealth of the region.

We were also pleased to see further commitment to devolution. We are clear that local decision-making, targeting investment resources to local priorities, will make a difference and we will continue to work alongside our political partners in the region to secure the optimum devolution position for the North East.

Other highlights for me are the confirmation that future decisions on how the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will be invested will be made within the region, a focus on helping people to improve their skills and a commitment to invest in our transport systems. We look forward to continuing to work with all of our partners to not only level up the North East with the rest of the UK regions, but surpass them.

Ends.

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North East Local Enterprise Partnership 2020 AGM 

Businesses will be given an update on plans to build a stronger North East post-pandemic economy at the North East Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) 2020 Annual General Meeting.

Taking place online on Tuesday 24 November, the event will include a welcome from the recently-appointed Chair of the North East LEP, Lucy Winskell.

Lucy Winskell said: “As 2020 began, we were making good progress towards our goal of creating 100,000 more and better jobs here in the North East by 2024.

“However, we know that COVID-19 has hit businesses and communities in our region hard. That’s why we acted quickly to create the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group with the CBI and the North of Tyne and North East combined authorities, which has recently published its proposal for counteracting this damage and creating a thriving post-pandemic economy.”

The AGM will also include updates on business growth, innovation, skills, transport connectivity, investment and infrastructure in the region, and how businesses are preparing for next year’s EU Exit.

Speakers at the event include Lucy Winskell, Chair of the North East LEP; Helen Golightly, Chief Executive of the North East LEP; and Paul Woods, Chief Finance Officer at the North East LEP.

Lucy Winskell added: “It’s been a tough year but there is still positive news to share as we look to the future of our region and the opportunities we have in sectors including digital, low carbon, life sciences and pharma.”

The 2020 North East LEP AGM will take place on Tuesday 24 November from 9.30am to 10.45am. Book your place here.

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In conversation: Lucy Winskell OBE and Helen Golightly

The North East LEP recently welcomed Lucy Winskell as its new Chair. Here Lucy and Helen Golightly, its chief executive, talk about the role and their aspirations for the future.

Managing a senior team transition can be challenging at any point but COVID-19 has changed everything. Is this a good time for a new Chair to join the North East LEP?

Lucy: It’s a great time to join the North East LEP. There has been a huge amount of brilliant work carried out by Helen, the Board and the Executive team and it’s not for a new Chair to put a red pen through that. The Strategic Economic Plan was created and refreshed using the most up to date evidence and remains fit for purpose. The same applies to the work being carried out by the COVID-19 Economic Response Group.

The Board already offers an incredible wealth and breadth of experience and includes dynamic local authority leaders, innovative business people and strong representation from the VCSE sector. I see my role as being a fresh pair of eyes, bringing my experience and new perspective to bear to support the work already underway until we can get back to where we were as an economy pre-COVID-19.

Helen: Lucy’s arrival comes at an excellent time during a period of transition. She is very welcome as a new critical friend who can help us engage with and influence Government on its policies, as well as respond as needed to the changes yet to come.

How will the handover period work and what do you see as initial priorities?

Lucy: We’re well underway with this as we utilised the time between my appointment being approved and official start date to bring me fully up to speed and maximise my time with the outgoing Chair, Andrew Hodgson.

I’ve worked alongside Andrew for years so it’s been incredibly straight forward, although admittedly there is still lots to do, especially where it comes to understanding and acting on Government priorities.

Helen: Our initial focus centres on the team getting to know Lucy and vice versa and ensuring she feels settled with the Board.  It is crucial alongside this to continue with our partnership working as this remains the path to success moving forward. Finally, it’s important we closely monitor changes to the economy so we can respond in an appropriate and timely way.

How will the Executive team and Board work together as the LEP navigates this next period of transition?

Lucy: To echo what Helen said, this next period will continue to be about partnership and collaboration. We’re keen that all parties, from the Board and Executive team through to our partners, are all aligned behind the Strategic Economic Plan and work of the COVID-19 Economic Response Group – in this way we can make a bigger difference in a faster way.

Helen: How we work together comes down to our values as they underpin everything we do. These revolve around the key pillars of making a difference, being better together, thinking bigger and doing the right thing – a great way to do business whoever you are and whatever you do.

What are your ambitions for the region going forward?

Lucy: I’m very keen to see the North East maximising all the opportunities available to us and that requires a good understanding of Government – and Government understanding the needs and priorities of the North East. It would be fantastic for the region to lead the levelling up agenda rather than this being a top down approach. I also want to see us making strong progress against the targets set out in the Strategic Economic Plan.

Ultimately this current crisis will leave scars for some but we want people to know that we are doing everything we can to lead this region back to health through a plan that is both realistic but optimistic.

Helen: The region is clearly still experiencing a difficult period but we are very resilient. The North East has a significant role to play in UK plc so we will be lobbying for the resources we need to unlock potential and make a difference. We are poised to further transform our region and need Government to partner with us to unlock the potential for our residents and businesses.  Our video sums this up.

What will success look like for you both in twelve months’ time?

Lucy: In a year from now, I’d personally like to see evidence that the economic response plan is working by having a positive impact on the North East, that our targets and measures are being met and that Government understands the region’s specific strengths and challenges. I’d also like to see continued success in terms of the North East LEP securing appropriate funding and spending this in the right way.

Helen: I echo everything Lucy said, but would like to add that I’d like to also see a sense of confidence, aspiration and belief from the person on the street, be that a resident, business person or student. It matters that everyone knows we are working hard on their behalf.

Finally, what one thing would you like the business community to hear right now?

Lucy: Getting through the challenges posed by the current climate requires us to work collaboratively and we want to gather as many views as possible to inform future activity.

While the North East LEP can’t provide all the solutions, what we can do is connect, facilitate and leverage resources/offer support. It’s incumbent on us to communicate what we are doing and for the business community to communicate its needs. We’re looking for people to roll their sleeves up and help in a constructive way.

Helen: We have a very clear message. This is that the North East LEP is genuinely trying to understand the impact of COVID-19 on communities and champion everyone affected with the Government and other relevant parties. We’re here for you.

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In conversation with Lucy Winskell OBE as she takes up her role as Chair of the Board

The position of Chair of the North East LEP was always going to be daunting, not least with big shoes to fill following my predecessor Andrew Hodgson’s outstanding tenure.

The good news is that I step into the role at an organisation which is in excellent shape despite the best efforts of COVID-19. This is thanks to Andrew Hodgson, a strong and committed board that has a real breadth and depth of experience, and an executive team so ably led by Chief Executive, Helen Golightly.

Few people would argue that the current climate represents a time of real challenge, but as it’s been said many times before, challenge brings opportunity and I know this region thrives on adversity and making things happen.

So for me, this is a time of potential in which we have to address the severity of the situation left by COVID-19, while finding a new path forward that allows us to build a region that suits our needs and creates competitive advantage as we move into the future.

The North East LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan is a great place to start. This continues to provide us with the blueprint needed to create 100,000 more and better jobs by 2024.

The Coronavirus pandemic may have radically changed the labour market and the overall economy, meaning we have a lot further to go to reach our targets – but we have the right data and understanding to inform our decision-making and shape a more accurate narrative about the North East.

We have a plan that takes into consideration how the region has been impacted by COVID-19 and, working with government, it’s a plan which is focused on the interventions that will help the North East thrive and ensure no one is left behind.

I’m proud that the North East LEP, in collaboration with the North of Tyne and North East Combined Authorities, the CBI on behalf of business, and wider partners, launched the North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group to implement a five-point plan to support the economy, build resilience and prepare for recovery. This has enabled us to help businesses stay operational, keep people in employment, collaborate to find solutions to new challenges and use our collective voice and influence with government.

Partnership working remains a key priority for the North East LEP – it is the way we will successfully secure new opportunities and find solutions to the longer-term, endemic issues facing the region.

COVID-19 may have taken us further away from the goals in the Strategic Economic Plan, but now is the time to do exactly what the North East does best.

We will go again, with ambition and determination, just as before. Please watch this video, which tells the story much better than I can. I’m inspired by it and I hope you will be too.