Member Article

Transformation of Humber LEP takes shape

Humber LEP has become a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, moving away from operation through Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce.

The manoeuvre will guarantee the LEP’s independence and enable it to expand in the future.

As a business-led partnership with Humber local authorities, the LEP will receive core funding of £150,000 from the four Humber LAs this year, as well as legal, financial and IT support from Hull City Council.

One-off start-up grant from the Government has enabled the LEP to keep 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.

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, added: “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.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .