Our Chair Pat Doody reflects on the achievements of 2022 as he prepares to hand over his Chairmanship in the new year.

Our Greater Lincolnshire LEP is proud to have been leading economic growth and supporting businesses over the last 11 years. This year we have been driving real value through our economy by attracting more innovation, skills, and high-value companies into our area and networks, as we all worked together with our dynamic education providers to fulfil the potential of our existing and future workforce.

At our annual conference last month, we showcased with our fantastic partners where Greater Lincolnshire has been LEADING THE WAY in our four game changing sectors.  This year we have ramped up activity across the UK Food Valley programme, supported further Humber Freeport development, grown the defence and security cluster, and begun work towards an energy plan for UK Food Valley supporting Net Zero goals. 

This year also saw the launch of our two important Labour Market Support and Clean Growth Accelerator funds, and development of our targeted Skills Bootcamps.  Meanwhile we have also supported partners in the move towards devolution and are taking steps towards creating a Circular Economy Framework.

We are all very aware of the ongoing and challenging national and global economic conditions, but the unique strengths in our game changing sectors, alongside other priority sectors and supply chains, pave the way to a stronger, brighter economy for Greater Lincolnshire.

As I hand my Chairmanship over to a new leader next year, I have every confidence that our LEP is in its best shape and strongest position yet to move forwards with direction and purpose.  I am supremely proud of our collaborative success as we continue our strategic economic leadership and partnership delivery of these important projects and programmes, anchored by our key work across the employment and skills agendas, as we continue promoting Greater Lincolnshire as passionate ambassadors for our area.

I’d like to wish all our supporters, stakeholders, and partners, a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.