The merger of Northamptonshire Enterprise Partnership (NEP) and South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) has been approved by Government.
The two LEPs are now engaged in making sure that the transition to a single integrated LEP by the end of March 2017, which will serve the South East Midlands, including the whole of Northamptonshire, goes smoothly. In operational terms, the single LEP will be operating as of 3rd October 2016, with SEMLEP’s Chief Executive Stephen Catchpole the Chief Executive designate from that date.
John Markham, Chair of NEP said: “I am very pleased that we have been able to reach a satisfactory outcome that Government approves of. We will ensure that the area, particularly the business community, will continue to receive the high quality service that it needs from the integrated LEP in the future.”
Dr Ann Limb CBE DL, Chair of SEMLEP, said: “The decision to integrate makes enormous sense and removes any confusion in the area about which LEP is responsible for what activity. I look forward to the new arrangement making a real contribution to the continuing prosperity of the area through engagement with initiatives such as LGF3, Midlands Engine, England’s Economic Heartland and the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford growth corridor.”
Local Growth Minister Andrew Percy added: “This is an excellent decision and one that has been made by local people who know the area best. It will mean the region will be better placed than ever to support housing growth, help local businesses to flourish and attract new companies to Northampton’s Enterprise Zone.”