The North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) recently welcomed Lucy Winskell as its new Chair. Here Lucy and Helen Golightly, its chief executive, talk about 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 lot of brilliant work carried out by Helen, the Board and Executive team and there is much to do at pace to address the current challenges. 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. That’s where our energies must focus.
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.
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 is the COVID-19 Economic Response planning shaping up?
Lucy: It’s shaping up well. This is not just about getting back to where we were pre-COVID-19. We want to be bigger and bolder, more innovative and more imaginative and to build a thriving region in which there is economic prosperity for all of our communities.
Helen: Our plans are structured around the five themes of job recovery; building the economy of the future; supporting businesses; communities and place; and investment into digital connectivity infrastructure. We have a very clear ask of government and we want to work in partnership with it to make the transformative change we have planned a reality.
What are your ambitions for the region going forward?
Lucy: I’m keen to see the North East maximising the opportunities available to us and that requires a good understanding of government – and government understanding the needs 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 latest video sums this up.
What will success look like for you both in twelve months’ time?
Lucy: In a year from now, I’d like to see evidence that the economic response planning work is 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’d just add that I’d also like to 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 and our hard work is making a difference.
Visit northeastlep.co.uk to see the short film about the North East LEP's priorities for the region as it plans its recovery from the economic impact of COVID-19.
