‘No disruption’ as Berkshire LEP affirms ongoing commitment to the region

Published by

Daniel Face

Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has made clear its intentions to maintain operations – driving economic development, creating jobs, building skills and supporting the region’s businesses – for the foreseeable future.

While LEPs across the country continue to fade away following the government’s decision last year to transfer their core functions to local authorities, Berkshire LEP has secured the backing of Berkshire Leaders’ Group, a partnership of the county’s six unitary councils.

The group commissioned the LEP to continue to support development of a new strategic economic plan for Berkshire, as well as to manage its legacy programme of growth deal capital investments, from 1st April 2024.

Chairman Bob Beveridge said: “Berkshire LEP was set up as a company limited by guarantee, so in many ways there is no change in terms of company structure or our close relationship with our partner local authorities.

Read our article on Berkshire LEP's vision for the future at its December 2023 conference

“We’re delighted to affirm our ongoing commitment to the Berkshire region and its economic advancement.

“Our unique role remains as a catalyst for regional growth and prosperity, empowering local businesses with valuable advice, financial resources and future-ready skills.”

Since its inception in December 2011, Berkshire LEP has helped deliver £204 million in capital investments to 97 infrastructure projects across the county.

It also worked to establish Berkshire Growth Hub, which between October 2014 and March 2023 has supported more than 7,878 local businesses – and, through the Berkshire Funding Escalator, has invested £19.42 million in a further 97 businesses.

Read the March 2024 issue of The Business Magazine, including our feature on skills

As for this year, the LEP delivered its £1.5 million skills bootcamp programme to more than 300 people, and continues to work alongside the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC) to support Berkshire secondary schools through the Careers Hub.

Alison Webster, CEO of Berkshire LEP, added: “We remain committed to delivering a diverse array of initiatives tailored to the needs and aspirations of Berkshire.

“Our established structures and provisions, including the Berkshire Growth Hub, Berkshire Careers Hub and skills bootcamps, will continue to serve as vital resources for our community.

“We’re confident our stakeholders and those businesses supported by Berkshire LEP will see no disruption to our services.

“As Berkshire LEP transitions into this new phase, we’re extremely well-positioned to continue to foster sustainable economic growth, driving innovation and supporting businesses to thrive in Berkshire.”

Daniel Face

Born and raised in Berkshire, Dan fell into journalism after completing his bachelor’s degree in English at UCL. Writing for The Business Magazine and local Biz News sites has given him the opportunity to chat with all manner of small business owners and share their success stories with a wider audience. Outside of work, Dan enjoys live music, board games and quiz shows, and is making a slow but persistent effort to learn Spanish.