Gary Headland, LEP Director, Further Education Colleges and Business Lead, and CEO of Lincoln College Group, looks back at 2021 in his blog here.
The work that the LEP does to raise the profile of our region with national government is incredibly important. Throughout the Covid crisis, the team has worked tirelessly to make sure that national government has understood the context and case for Greater Lincolnshire, levering interventions, funds, and resource, and securing over £25m of accelerated (GBF) funding. The board has been supported with professionalism, flexibility, honesty, and genuine consideration during hugely challenging times by the executive team and many of our partners. The immense efforts of the LEP is not always seen locally but is an incredibly important part of our business structure and foundation, identifying and supporting growth at both strategic and grass roots level.
I am a truly strong advocate for the value this passionate group of directors and executive team brings to Lincolnshire through a broad and complex agenda - from shaping skills for the future, to developing world class opportunities across defence, clean energy, sustainable food chains, to our successful bid for a Humber Freeport.
We have worked incredibly hard to build the structure for this to happen, through the power of collaboration and by uniting the best of commerce, state, and academia to create unique and compelling cases driven by genuine expertise, funding, science, and enthusiasm! Wishing all of our partners, stakeholders, and everyone working to improve the environmental, emotional, and financial quality of life for our communities and businesses, a very happy Christmas.
Gary Headland
