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22nd December, 2021

Chief Executive Mark Livesey sums it up for '21

The LEP Network wishes all it's stakeholders and colleagues best wishes for the season with a short message from LEP Network Chief Executive, Mark Livesey.

Chief Executive Mark Livesey sums it up for '21

"It has been another roller coaster year for LEPs and their business communities, dominated by continued pressure from the pandemic and a government review of LEPs triggered in March which has kept us all busy.

As we await the results of that review in the new year,  I want to pay tribute to the continued committment and business focus of all our LEP leaders and their staff who have continued to add significant value to their places and communities in what has been an increasingly uncertain time for them.  A glance at ourTwitter and #LEPFutureValue feeds reflect some of that. 

The scale and breadth of what LEPs are achieving is significant and, thanks to the groundwork done as part of the review, is now better understood and appreciated by Ministers. Indeed, a recent meeting with them confirmed that - with Ministers recognising the value LEPs are having, the "fantastic things" they have made happen, and that there will be a role for LEPs as part of a post Levelling-Up White Paper environment.

On that note, Mark Bretton, myself, the LEP Network team and our Board of Directors wish all our stakeholders and colleagues a happy and safe Christmas and a well deserved break. We look forward to working with you all in 2022."