The Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has become a limited company and relocated to a new office in Hull’s Fruit Market
The LEP has moved into the ground floor of 48 Queen Street, the building which is home to the World Trade Centre Hull & Humber. The move was agreed recently by the LEP Board when it also agreed the future legal status of the LEP.
Until March the LEP had operated through Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce, which drew up proposals for the LEP last year. However, in common with other leading LEPs, the Humber LEP has become a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The new structure will guarantee the LEP’s independence and enable it to expand in the future.
The Humber LEP is a business-led partnership with Humber local authorities and the University of Hull, charged with leading local economic growth. The LEP is responsible for the Humber’s two enterprise zones and marketing the area for investment.
The LEP will receive core funding of £150,000 from the four Humber local authorities this year, plus legal, finance and IT support from Hull City Council. A one-off start-up grant from the Government ran out at the end of March. The funding enabled the LEP to retain and transfer its three staff including LEP Manager Richard Kendall, who had previously been on secondment from the Chamber of Commerce. A small number of additional staff will be recruited in the next few months, paid for by Government funding the LEP has won to take on extra responsibilities.
Lord Haskins, Chairman of the Humber LEP , said:
“We are getting the LEP into the right shape for the work we have taken on and will take on in the future. The local authority funding means we can continue to operate; the company structure means we are independent and can expand; and the excellent facilities at the World Trade Centre mean we have the room to do it.
“The Chamber of Commerce played a crucial role in getting the LEP going and hosting us for our first few months. It is right now though that we stand on our own feet, have room to grow if we need to and demonstrate that we are independent.”
LEP Manager Richard Kendall added:
“The LEP has a big agenda and a lot to do, so I am delighted that we are able to continue supporting the work of the Chair and the Board.”
Carolyn Burgess, Partner in the World Trade Centre Hull & Humber, said:
“We were pleased to make some of our office space available to the LEP. It is important that everyone in the private sector does what they can to support the LEP grow the Humber economy.”
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Offshore WIND staff, June 20, 2012; Image: humberlep