David Ralph, Chief Executive of D2N2 LEP
The D2N2 area was home to the world’s first factory, the site where the Silk Mill sits in Derby. Additionally, Cromford Mills, in the Derwent Valley was the location of the first water-powered cotton mill developed by Richard Arkwright. Now a World Heritage site, this meant that the D2N2 area was the very heartland of the world’s 1st Industrial Revolution. A key challenge will be how D2N2 can lead the next – the revolution in technology, low carbon and advanced manufacturing.
With three world-class Universities, competitiveness and a dynamic and diverse business base with excellence in high-tech manufacturing, particularly in transport, bioscience and construction means we are well placed to meet this challenge. Future jobs growth – we aim to deliver 55,000 new jobs by 2023 – will be very different from the growth at the beginning of the 21st century. Future jobs will be predominantly in the private sector – up to 90% in total (as opposed to 50% between 2000 and 2010) – and many will be high net worth. There will be less dependency on services.
Fortunately, D2N2 is already home to excellent innovative companies large and small – Sygnature Discovery and Chinook Energy in Nottingham, global brands such as Alliance Boots, who lead our Enterprise Zone, EoN, Toyota, Rolls Royce and developments like ‘BioCity’ and the Global Technology Cluster to grow the firms of tomorrow. In D2N2, it is outwardly apparent – we invent, we make, we sell, we export. Future jobs growth will also engender International trade as a key component with firms working in new and global international markets. SMEs and the sector supply chains will be the conduits.
So not only are we looking to deliver jobs but the right sort of jobs. At the very heart of the UK, the D2N2 area can demonstrate excellent and improving transport and digital connectivity. The Midland Mainline upgrade, the Nottingham Tram extension, improvements to the A46, A453, A52 and M1 are all delivered or underway.
D2N2 is a Partnership with the sole purpose of delivering economic growth. As a partnership we are committed, in the long term, to taking a prioritised and focused approach to creating the conditions for our businesses to thrive. Our Growth Plan, published in July this year, sets out our priorities for action but it will not, by itself, create growth. We will inspire growth by implementing the plan, by securing the investment and inspiring action to support business to invest, sell, employ and train. Whilst we will continue to review, refine and improve our plan through being agile in realising emerging growth opportunities, our relentless focus will be on implementation and delivery and the creation of new jobs for our communities.
However, our USP will be our ability to innovate. The heritage of our D2N2 forefathers who achieved this 250 years ago are very much at the centre of our ambition to develop D2N2 as the UK’s Most Inspirational Postcode.
David Ralph, Chief Executive of D2N2 LEP
