Annual Report 2017 CONTENTS

Chair’s foreword Our key successes

It is a pleasure to share with you our collective The Growth Hub We conducted an extensive stakeholder provided free and impartial business consultation process which culminated achievements over the past 12 months. advice to 797 SMEs, helped create 400 in a Skills Summit, to help inform our new jobs and engaged with an additional draft Hertfordshire Skills Strategy My second year at the helm coincided with a construction. To that end, we held a workshop 13,000 businesses through its website. to 2020 which sets out our plan to grow hugely exciting time for Hertfordshire LEP as we focusing on the skills the construction Hertfordshire’s labour market. translated our ambition to accelerate business industry would need in the future for the We expanded the Hertfordshire led growth into reality. North to south, east to built environment. We are now working with Growth Package to include 9 key We have recruited 76 Enterprise Advisers west, there are now real, tangible signs where local and FE providers to ensure business support programmes to help (senior figures from local businesses) LEP intervention is making an impact. skills development opportunities are being SMEs and entrepreneurs grow and and over 80 schools to our Careers & Starting in the west of the county, construction maximised. It is this holistic approach to innovate, enhance their competitiveness Enterprise Company programme which work has now begun on our new Enterprise growth that we believe will deliver real, lasting and become more eco-friendly. works to improves career advice and Zone. By attracting green developer Prologis, benefits and is the cornerstone of our Strategic opportunities for young people. we are confident it will act as an exemplar for Economic Plan. As part of a consortium of LEPs, we future sustainable development and attract Investment in our FE Colleges across the produced the We invested £5m towards the new West further investment in the zone. county has led to new state-of-the-art learning Science and Innovation Audit, Herts Dacorum Campus In October, BRE hosted our Building environments and courses targeted to local working with Hertfordshire’s leading spanning 90,000 sq.ft. which has “North to south, Solutions Conference which pulled in employers’ needs. And, as we traverse the research institutions to showcase the enabled the provision of a range of new industry experts across the housing sector to county, we are tackling hotspots which suffer county’s strengths in agri-tech and engineering, technology and construction east to west, tackle of the most pressing problems facing from congestion and delays. life sciences. courses to meet employer needs. Hertfordshire: how can we deliver the 91,000 From to , there are now homes needed in the next 15 years? Several Hatfield to Stevenage, LEP funding is helping We committed £34m towards the Construction work has begun on real, tangible outcomes have arisen, including assessing to kickstart major regeneration programmes regeneration of Stevenage to deliver Hertfordshire’s new Enterprise Zone the requirements for an offsite manufacturing that will breathe new life into our town centres. new housing, a modern town centre and spanning 107 hectares, which will offer high signs where facility in the county, along with potential sites. Our SMEs are the backbone of our economy a new civic hub, and £6m in Hatfield to quality commercial space to enviro-tech A pilot MMC housing development project with 91% of our 63,000 businesses classed as free up land for new residential, shopping businesses with the potential to attract LEP intervention is now being progressed by a consortium of micro. We are targeting EU funding to support and leisure developments. 800 new firms and deliver 8000 jobs. is making Hertfordshire housing associations. them in their ambitions to grow with a portfolio Housing delivery is contingent on having a of specialist business support services, as We are improving key sections of our road In our response to the Government’s Green an impact.” workforce that can adapt to new methods of well as free business advice supplied by network, investing £18.49m on the A602 Paper ‘Building our Industrial Strategy’ we Hertfordshire Growth Hub. to improve road safety, and £27.4m on the set out how we will build on the priorities set In our response to the Government’s A120 bypass to reduce congestion and out in our Strategic Economic Plan to proposed Industrial Strategy, we set out how we alleviate flooding in the local area. spearhead its local delivery. can future-proof Hertfordshire against Brexit and other uncertainties by continuing to prioritise sectors of national significance, stimulate innovation and ensure that Hertfordshire remains perfectly placed to live and work. In Next Steps I will outline how we will be developing a Local Industrial Strategy shaped Contents by our thriving business community. Who We Are 4 Economic Outlook 8 Enterprise & Innovation 10 Strategic Infrastructure 16 Skills & Employment 20 Mark Bretton Enterprise Zone 25 Chair of Hertfordshire Local Next Steps 26 Enterprise Partnership Managing Director, Accenture

Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 2 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 3 WHO WE ARE

Hertfordshire LEP Board Hertfordshire LEP structure Our business-led Board is responsible for setting the overall strategic Hertfordshire LEP has a clear governance structure and appropriate processes vision and priorities for economic development in the county. for decision-making. The principal components are here.

The LEP Board comprises 15 members split between the private, made up of senior members of the Executive Team and Board. public and not-for-profit sectors. The Chair is recruited from the All members of LEP groups have a set term of office and are private sector by open competition and is selected by a panel unremunerated as they give their time on a voluntary basis.

Business and SME representatives

Mark Bretton Adrian Hawkins John Gourd Andrew Stroomer (LEP Chair) Accenture (Deputy Chair) Weldability SIF Johnson Matthey Airbus Defence and Space

Programme Boards Our Programme Boards are chaired by LEP Board Members with representation from the wider business community. TheyHertfordshire aim to support LEP our structurekey priority areas which are:

Andrew Percival Neil Rutledge Dan Dark Graham Lane EnterpriseProgramme & ManagementStrategic LEP Board Skills & Enterprise UPP Projects Ltd Amberside Advisors Ltd Warned Bros. Studios Leavesden Cheeky Munkey Committee (PMC) focused on overall strategy, Innovationincluding Hertfordshire CountyInfrastructure Council and the delivery ofEmployment Zone (Accountable Body), and scrutinising Perfectly Placed for Business Local Authority representatives Higher Education representatives overall patterns of spend (between – through advocacy, partnership programme areas) and approving working and resourcing delegated funding decisions

Enterprise Enterprise Skills and Strategic Local Zone and Innovation Employment Infrastructure Transport Partnership Programme Programme Programme Body Cllr Morris Bright MBE Cllr Linda Haysey Zoe Hancock Quintin McKellar Highlights onBoard p10-15 HighlightsGrowth on p16-19Board (E&I) HighlightsBoard on (S&E)p20-24 Board Highlights (SIF) on p25 Hertsmere Borough Council East Herts District Council University of Hertfordshire Hub

Not-for-profit representative Retiring Board Members New Board Members Board members who retired in 2017 include Cllr Julian Daly Cllr Morris Bright MBE (Hertsmere Borough Council), Zoe Hancock (St Albans City & District Council), Peter O’Gorman (Santander), (Oaklands College) and Neil Rutledge (Clubfinance Project and Gill Worgan (West Herts College). Finance Ltd). Board members due to join in 2018 include David Board members due to retire in 2018 include Dan Dark (Warner Conway (BBC Studioworks Ltd), Nitin Dahad (TechSpark Ltd), Bros. Studios Leavesden), John Gourd (Johnson Matthey), and Richard Whitehead (AECOM). Graham Lane (Cheeky Munkey Ltd), Andrew Percival (UPP Cllr Sharon Taylor OBE Cllr David Williams Tina Barnard Projects Ltd), Quintin McKellar (University of Hertfordshire), Stevenage Borough Council Hertfordshire County Council Watford Community Housing Trust and Cllr Sharon Taylor (Stevenage Borough Council).

4 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 5 WHO WE ARE

in advising Board Members, CEOs, Executive Sector specific skills events Directors and Senior Managers on how to The Challenge: Envoys told us there was develop a strategic and operational approach a need to ensure that training is more closely to the changing stance on cultural diversity, linked to local employers’ needs. equality and unconscious bias. What have we done? We held a conference at BRE focusing on Modern Methods of What have we done? Construction as a possible solution to housing Over the past 12 months, the Envoys have met delivery. The second half of the conference on a quarterly basis to raise issues with the LEP. focused on the future skills the construction Here are two examples where we have taken industry will need. The LEP is now working with action following these discussions: local colleges and FE providers to Envoy Programme Chair Mark ensure skills development opportunities are Davies, Regional Director of Northern Raising awareness of being maximised. Home Counties, Metro Bank the Apprenticeship Levy The challenge: The Envoys told us that there What next? is still a lot of confusion and misinformation As the Envoy Programme enters its second surrounding the Apprenticeship Levy. year it will be focussing its activities on the What have we done? We conducted an LEP’s biggest opportunity to date, to shape Want to become online survey to gauge understanding and a Local Industrial Strategy with direct an Envoy? engaged with our Envoys to produce a list of intervention from businesses (see Next Please contact info@ FAQs to help demystify the Levy and support Steps). It is vital that we continue to have the hertfordshirelep.co.uk for businesses trying to understand the changes support of our Envoys and wider business more information. that have been introduced. network to achieve this. The Envoy Programme Our Envoys Our Envoy Programme is made up of our private sector Mark Davies (Chair) Philip Fulton board members and a cohort of individuals drawn from Metro Bank Lloyds Banking Group

a wide range of sectors and sizes of organisation. Dr Peter Bonfield Richard Gann Building Research Establishment Metro Bank The role of an Envoy within our own organisations so that integration The Envoys work with the LEP as a critical and diversity are integral to working practices, Richard Butler Sally Hopper friend and external ambassador by recruitment and company cultures. Bidwells Hertfordshire County Council representing Hertfordshire LEP to its people and businesses. Who chairs the Programme? Andy Cook Darren Isted “Our Envoys The Envoy programme is not a membership The Envoy Programme was chaired in FFEI Spitfire PR can identify organisation, but a group of individuals with its first year by Mark Coppen, Director of the collective aim to make Hertfordshire a Commercial Banking for Hertfordshire at Mark Coppen Sneha Khilay and help us better place to live, work and do business for NatWest. Mark stepped down as Chair, due to NatWest Blue Tulip Training current and future generations. work commitments, towards the end of 2017 find solutions but remains an Envoy. The current Chair is Raghu Das Miranda Knaggs to some of Why do we run an Mark Davies, Regional Director of Northern The Toro Company Stevenage BioScience Catalyst Envoy Programme? Home Counties, Metro Bank. We have been Hertfordshire’s The programme was set up at the end delighted to co-opt several new Envoys onto the Chris Day Chris Luff of 2016 to strengthen Hertfordshire’s ties programme including: Daymedia Reliance UK Professional Services Ltd challenges with business. Its aim is to represent the • S ally Hopper: Assistant Director of HR and ensure community it serves so it is incumbent on Services at Hertfordshire County Council. Claire Dicks Nigel Palmer us to be as diverse and representative as Sally has over 20 years’ experience in the MBDA Lambert Smith Hampton that the voice possible. We want to hear as wide a range public and charity sector and is a strategic of views across all industry sectors, sizes of HR professional leading on organisational Adrian Dixon Jeremy Read of enterprise organisation, the third sector and minority change, employee reward, relations, AdNexus Communications Ltd Grant Thornton UK LLP remains strong groups. We know there is more work to be development and resourcing. done to re-dress potential imbalances both • S néha Khilay: Managing Director Blue Tulip Giles Ellerton Neil Rutledge in Hertfordshire.” at board and senior management levels Training. Snéha has over 20 years’ experience BT Amberside Advisors Ltd

146 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 7 The state of Demography Economic Growth ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE our economy Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Hertfordshire’s economy continues to grow, but 10.6% 4.4% £30,199 performance is patchy and productivity is continuing to fall. Our challenge remains to reverse this trend by National National National developing a Local Industrial Strategy. 8% 3.7% £26,584

Many readers will already know that top end of the scale, Welwyn/Hatfield (11%) Population growth GVA growth rate GVA per head Hertfordshire’s economy is strong in and Watford (7%) are growing more quickly comparison to other parts of the UK. The than those at the other end where growth is (2006-2016) (2015-2016) (2016) county is a net contributor to UK prosperity: negative (St Albans at -1.3%) or flat (Three employment rates are significantly better, Rivers at 0.6%). unemployment is lower, skill levels and wages However, these figures are provisional, are higher, and it is proportionately more subject to revision and may be prone Labour market entrepreneurial than the majority of other to distortions arising from commuting localities across the UK. patterns and/or the composition of resident Population growth continues apace too. In populations. Nonetheless, they are useful in the last ten years, the population has increased helping the LEP and stakeholders understand Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Hertfordshire by more than 100,000 and is growing at a rate the growth dynamics of the county and identify of around 10,000 people per year. Putting this areas where growth is more likely to happen. 42.6% 53.5% 3.2% into context, that is the equivalent of building While the main takeaway from the latest another Watford every ten years. data is one of positivity, there remains an area National National National So as the LEP prepares to refresh its annual where Hertfordshire’s performance is not what review of the local economy, provisional data it ought to be. For many years, we have been 38.2% 45.6% 1.8% from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) among the top 10 LEP geographies when confirms the positive direction of travel set out measured by a key productivity indicator, GVA in our previous Economic Outlook. per hour worked. However, our productivity Educated to Employees in skilled Job growth Since our outlook report of 2016, performance has fallen significantly in the last (2015-2016) Hertfordshire’s economy has grown by 4%, two decades. degree level (2016) occupations (2016) generating an additional £1.3bn of Gross Value In 2004, Hertfordshire ranked 3rd among Added (GVA: a measure of the economic the 38 LEP geographies. By 2010, it had fallen contribution of each individual producer, to 8th in the productivity league table and in industry or sector). Moreover, our GVA growth 2016, dropped to 10th after being overtaken Enterprise rate compares favourably to the national by the Solent, Coast to Capital, West of Author: Paul Witcombe, growth rate of 3.2% over the same period. England and Oxfordshire LEPs. Hertfordshire LEP Enterprise As expected, performance is not uniform Overall, Hertfordshire overtook the national and Innovation Manager across Hertfordshire’s 10 districts. At the average by less than 1% in 2016 compared to Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Hertfordshire 14% in 2004. This weakening in productivity “Since our outlook performance was highlighted both in the LEP’s 38 1.5% 6.5% original Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) and report of 2016, the recently refreshed version. National National National Hertfordshire’s Our challenge remains to halt and reverse the slide in Hertfordshire’s productivity. We will 46 1.7% 6.1% economy has grown continue to tackle this issue as we prepare to bring forward a holistic Local Industrial by 4%, generating an Strategy for the county that addresses the Start-ups per Incidence rate of small Incidence rate of additional £1.3bn of key factors driving productivity: investment in innovation, skills, infrastructure, the business 10,000 people high growth firms high growth firms Gross Value Added” environment and place.

Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 8 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 9 Nurturing ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION SMEs and Hertfordshire Growth Hub The Growth Hub fuels business growth by offering free and key growth impartial advice across critical areas such as new product development, marketing, branding, skills, finance and technology. sectors

Between 2016-17, the Growth Hub has Case study 1 Hertfordshire is home to supported 797 SMEs and helped create 63,685 businesses, of 400 new jobs, with a further 13,000 businesses TekOne Technologies Ltd engaging with the programme through its which 91.3% are classed as website. During this period, 85% of clients who TekOne is a family run company that micro-sized and 7% are small received in-depth support have implemented provides IT support for home and (ONS). We are delivering the the advice that was given and 90% reported business users. they were either satisfied or very satisfied with The company approached the business support services vital the service. Hertfordshire Growth Hub at a local to growing our SMEs through The programme was launched in 2015 networking event for help developing a the Hertfordshire Growth Hub in partnership with the University of marketing plan and to explore innovative Hertfordshire, business support experts ways to expand their service offering. and Growth Package, and Exemplas Holdings Ltd and the Hertfordshire Growth Hub marketing specialists providing specialist support Skills Brokerage Service. Chris Ellis and David Zerny helped the for our thriving science industry Aside from supporting SMEs, the Growth company redefine a compelling new Hub also serves to link businesses with private proposition and update its branding through the Hertfordshire sector service providers, create and develop and website in line with its ambitious Science Partnership. relationships with key stakeholders, and attract growth plan. inward investment into the county. We also TekOne Managing Director Nosheen encourage organisations delivering sector- Lone worked with the Growth Hub’s specific business projects, like the Hertfordshire technology and productivity specialist, Science Partnership, to work collaboratively with Dr Abrar Jawaid, to create a Business the Growth Hub to acquire clients. Model Canvas to define the company’s value proposition, customers and finances, align its activities, and prepare “Having access to an for funding opportunities. Since working with the Growth Hub, unbiased and expert TekOne has developed a targeted marketing plan, implemented digital opinion ensures we advertising to reach more customers, are able to make the and created a business plan to increase best decisions to keep its resource efficiency. the business growing. Being able to tap into their connections has been really beneficial.” Nosheen Lone, TekOne Technologies Ltd

Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 11 Hertfordshire Growth Package

ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION We have secured EU funding for a package of business support services to help SMEs grow and innovate, enhance their competitiveness and become more eco-friendly.

The Growth Package is Case study 2 run in partnership with the Hertfordshire Growth Hub Get Growing Innovate 2 Get Exporting 2 1st Note Education and other local support 1 is a project that enhances 4 Succeed 7 is a tailored programme organisations and serves the competitiveness is a mentoring service that of advice and financial 1st Note Education specialises in the businesses across all sectors, of SMEs and supports helps SMEs enhance their assistance for companies recruitment and training of primary school providing grant funding, advice, their capacity to grow in innovative capabilities and looking to sell overseas music teachers. Founder Geraldine Savage training and networking events. regional, national and commercially exploit their or expand internationally set up the business in 2012 after being Currently, the Growth Package international markets. ideas, ultimately taking to increase profitability referred to Wenta, part of the Hertfordshire consists of 9 key services, with new products or services and employment in a Start Up Service, which provided her with a more to be added in 2018: to market. sustainable way. variety of training courses, her own personal business advisor and a space in one of their business incubation centres in Potters Bar. Geraldine said: “I took all the courses that Wenta offered. The ‘Social Media’ and ‘Business Planning’ courses were particularly Hertfordshire ProConnect Manufacturing useful while the ‘Budgeting’ and ‘Introduction 2 Start-up Service 5 Hertfordshire 8 Growth to Marketing’ courses helped fill in my is a free package of is an exciting programme Programme weak-spots.” business support of support for small supports manufacturing Since then the business has expanded, available to Hertfordshire creative companies SMEs by identifying, employing 3 additional members of staff. “In residents who are starting working in or aspiring to and removing barriers 2012 I had 6 teachers that I could supply to a new business, delivered work in the film and TV to growth to facilitate primary schools. We have now worked with by Wenta, STANTA industry in Hertfordshire sustainable business 58 schools and have over 200 teachers on and Dacorum Borough and Greater Manchester. improvement. the books. The incubator has been a fantastic Council. help and I love that I now have a community of entrepreneurs to bounce ideas off.”

Hertfordshire Low KEEP+ Low Carbon 3 Carbon Innovation 6 works with Anglia Ruskin 9 Workspaces Network University to help SMEs offers SMEs match- works with BRE to deliver overcome barriers to funded grants of up to sector-specific support innovation by developing £5000 for the installation for SMEs developing new products and of energy efficient innovative low carbon services in collaboration solutions. The project is technologies for the built with universities, research delivered and managed environment. institutes and graduate by Ngage Solutions. talent.

12 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 13 ENTERPRISE & INNOVATION

Showcasing Hertfordshire’s sector strengths

ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION We worked in partnership to develop the East of England Science and Innovation Audit (SIA), showcasing the county’s comparative sector strengths in agri-tech and life-sciences. The audit was created to better inform central Government of regional strengths for potential future funding streams and foreign direct investment.

As part of a deep dive survey of cutting edge venture in Hertfordshire dedicated to the innovation taking place across the UK, we development of bioelectronic medicines joined a consortium of LEPs including Greater known as Galvani Bioelectronics. Similarly, Cambridge Greater Peterborough, New Anglia, the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst campus and South East to develop the East of England was chosen as the preferred site for the Cell SIA, with key sectors for growth and innovation Therapy Catapult’s new £55m state-of-the-art identified as life sciences, agri-tech, advanced Cell Therapy Manufacturing Centre, which is manufacturing and materials, and ICT. expected to support small biotech and life These four sectors are represented in sciences companies based in the region while Graduate research scientists at Hertfordshire by market leaders including also attracting further inward investment. the University of Hertfordshire. global pharmaceuticals giant GSK, major Miranda Knaggs, Interim CEO of Stevenage research institutions Rothamsted Research, BioScience Catalyst said: “The SIA has Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst and BRE, enabled us to map for the first time the chemicals and sustainable technologies leader full extent of life sciences expertise and Case study 3 Johnson Matthey, and IT companies such as connectivity across the East of England. Above: Rothamstead EE and Imagination Technologies. The picture that emerges is of a remarkably Research, Harpenden. Bringing scientific R&D to market The region as a whole is attracting the rich and dynamic ecosystem, full of growth Left: Stevenage BioScience interest of major corporate investors, including potential and a major contributor to the Catalyst incubator building. The Hertfordshire Science Partnership is a pioneering GSK and Google, who in 2016 set up a joint success of the UK life sciences industry.” approach to partner businesses and academia to achieve commercial outcomes.

“The picture that The Partnership provides businesses with and start-ups with a prize value of £700,000, emerges is of a access to facilities as well as much needed offering access to scientific support and developmental research services, whilst laboratory facilities for up to 24 months to remarkably rich enabling the transfer of knowledge from ultimately secure commercial viability for a academic research to help SMEs develop new new venture. and dynamic products. It includes; The Hertfordshire Science Partnership ecosystem, full of Knowledge Exchange Partnerships: operates from within a newly constructed alliances between the University and science building which acts as the University’s growth potential commercial organisations which grant life sciences hub. The Partnership is expected businesses access to graduate research to facilitate 28 Knowledge Exchange and a major scientists via 4-year PhD level research & Partnerships by 2021 and result in 28 contributor to the development placements. collaborative PhD projects. Research Hotel and Science Concierge The Partnership was born out of £3.59m success of the Service: a shared specialist research facility funding from the LEP to establish the developed primarily for Hertfordshire SMEs, in Hertfordshire Knowledge Innovation Centre UK life sciences which 10,000 sq. m. of brand new life science for Science (HKICS) which contains state-of- industry.” laboratories are available to use on a self- the-art laboratories, research, and teaching Miranda Knaggs, service, pay-as-you-use basis. facilities. With this investment we aim to Therapy Accelerator Competition: stimulate enterprise and innovation within Stevenage BioScience a competition for academic research centres Hertfordshire’s thriving life sciences sector. Catalyst

14 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 15 Modern Methods Delivering our deal of Construction STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGIC Hertfordshire faces the significant on infrastructure challenge of delivering the 91,000 homes needed by 2031. In October 2017, we hosted the county’s first Building Solutions conference in partnership Re-invigorating our places for the 21st Century is with the Hertfordshire Infrastructure one of the key priorities in our Strategic Economic and Planning Partnership (HIPP) and Plan. We are regenerating Hatfield and Stevenage, Hertfordshire County Council, sponsored by building science centre BRE. building new homes in Watford and improving key The conference explored Modern sections of our road network. Methods of Construction (MMC) as a potential solution to Hertfordshire’s housing needs and was attended by delegates from a range of associated Hertfordshire industries including major construction housing growth: firms, developers and architects as well Anticipated as housing associations, Government development locations Case study 1 departments and colleges. Following an overwhelmingly positive based on adopted and Tackling response, we have commissioned emerging local plans. a feasibility study to assess the Total = 91,224 the county’s requirements for an offsite manufacturing facility within the county and identify new homes Artist’s impression of ‘Waterside’ potential sites. The report will be featuring homes with river views. housing needs available in March 2018. to 2031 A pilot MMC housing development We are part of the largest ever regeneration project The ongoing site decontamination process project is also being progressed by a includes the removal of waste, chromium and consortium of Hertfordshire housing undertaken in Watford, transforming a 29-acre derelict site asbestos and the cleanup of the River Colne associations and we are working with which has historically been subjected to extensive industrial which lies at the heart of the planned 4.5 acres local colleges and FE providers to use, into a vibrant new community of homes, shops, leisure of woods and open green spaces for the ensure that related skills The 29 acre site for development community to enjoy. development opportunities at Watford Riverwell. facilities and green spaces. Riverwell will be a new residential are being maximised. neighbourhood containing approximately 500 new homes. In autumn 2017, construction began on ‘Woodlands’; the first residential zone With the help of a £6m loan from Hertfordshire with 95 new houses including much-needed LEP, the Watford Riverwell project will breathe affordable family homes. Planning applications new life into a heavily contaminated plot of have been submitted for the second phase of land that once served as a coal power station development at ‘Waterside’, featuring homes and sewerage works, subjected to unlicensed with river views. landfilling and fly tipping. Construction on the first Phase one of the regeneration was business zone, Trade City completed in summer 2017, kick-starting Watford, was completed in the A growth model an extensive clean up of the site and the third quarter of 2017, providing for Hertfordshire construction of a new access road, Thomas 70,000 sq. ft. of new business space Sawyer Way, to allow further development. and expected to create around 180 The new road which opened in November new jobs. 2016 has improved access to Watford Riverwell will also serve the community AnticipatedAnticipated develdeveloopmentp Hospital, enabling West Hertfordshire with a new school, a 250 unit care facility Hospitals NHS Trust to push forward its for the elderly, and a commercial hub in the lolocaationstions bbasedased ambitious plans to expand and develop Northern Zone. The project is expected to take on adopted and hospital facilities. between 15 and 20 years to complete. Comet R2 - September 2016 emerging local plans 16 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 17 Total = 91,224 new homes to 2031 COMET R2_SEPT 2016 Hatfield 2030+ Since 2015, we have been working in Plan. To that end, we are pleased to support “The regeneration partnership to transform Hatfield’s tired Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council in its STRATEGIC INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGIC town centre into an attractive destination for ambitions to transform Hatfield to 2030 and of our New Towns residents, visitors and businesses. We have beyond. The freeing up of surface-level invested £4.8m to replace existing surface- parking is the catalyst to unlock some of and the delivery level parking with a multi-storey car park to these residential developments.” of much-needed free up much-needed land for new residential, An additional £1.2m will be used to retail and leisure developments. transform White Lion Square, plans for which new housing is Mark Bretton, Chair of Hertfordshire LEP were unveiled in October 2017. The proposed says, “The regeneration of our New Towns redesign includes new seating, planting and a cornerstone and the delivery of much-needed new housing landscaping to encourage visitors to spend of our Strategic is a cornerstone of our Strategic Economic more time in the town centre. Economic Plan.” Mark Bretton, Hertfordshire LEP Chair

Artist’s impression of Artist’s impression of the proposed Stevenage town Case study 2 redesigned White Lion Square, centre. Photo: Mace. Hatfield Regenerating our New Towns Case study 3 We have identified an urgent need to refresh our ‘first wave’ New Towns and are working with public and private sector Improving our road network partners to reverse decline, stimulate the local economy and create jobs and prosperity. We are tackling hotspots which suffer from over-congestion and delays, causing disruption to local businesses and communities. Stevenage Central Framework Hertfordshire LEP, as part of a consortium, has re-site the existing bus station and several A602 improvement works developed a 20-year framework to regenerate surface-level car parks to make way for 800 The A602 is a major east-west artery linking Stevenage town centre. SG1 is the first phase new houses as well as new retail units, bars, the south side of Stevenage to the A10 in of this regeneration journey, encompassing restaurants and a refreshed town square. Ware, which suffers from congestion and nine sites that border on the town square. A new civic hub will house a library, health safety issues due to tight bends and poor The ambitious plan to rejuvenate the area facilities and council offices, all of which will visibility. The proposed work would see has been unlocked by £34m funding from be made more accessible with improved several major junctions along the route Hertfordshire LEP. Work will be carried out to transport links in and out of the town centre. redesigned to improve road safety. Following a competitive procurement Construction began in autumn 2017 on the “Mace is proposing an process from October to December 2017, Hertford Road junction in Stevenage, Anchor exciting and carefully Stevenage Borough Council appointed The Lane, Westmill Road and the A10 junction Shard developer Mace as the chosen partner near Ware. considered scheme that for SG1. Sharon Taylor, leader of Stevenage Borough A120 Bypass will give Stevenage a Council said: “The revitalisation of our town We are investing in the Little Hadham bypass modern, vibrant central centre is at the top of most Stevenage to reduce traffic congestion and alleviate residents’ wish lists, as well as being one flooding in the local area. The scheme area where people can of the council’s biggest priorities. The town was first put forward in 2007, with planning centre that we have now was developed over permission granted in January 2017 following live, work and play.” several decades. It grew up with us and our public consultation. Hertfordshire County Andrew Percival, new town centre will grow up with today’s Council is now working towards obtaining the Chair of Stevenage First young people.” land needed to progress this scheme.

18 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 19 Highlights SKILLS & EMPLOYMENT Providing the skills that 97.9% employers need of young people opted to stay in education We are working to increase Hertfordshire’s and training economic growth and productivity through our Skills and Apprenticeship strategies, our investment in higher education, and our Careers & Enterprise Company programme which works to raise young (up from 96.1% in 2015) people’s career aspirations.

Releasing our potential Significant progress has been made Photo: University of Hertfordshire/Pete Stevens. implementing the first Hertfordshire Skills 5.01% Strategy 2015-2017, produced in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council and the Strategy to 2020, culminating in our Skills of 16-18 Department for Work and Pensions. Summit. Stakeholder feedback reaffirmed “We know unemployment is low in Hertfordshire year olds There has been an increase in the number our priority to develop our existing and future and that employers report that a large proportion of jobs and the number of economically active workforce by: undertook an residents, however there remains a need to • Helping young people transition from of their vacancies are hard to fill because apprenticeship increase and develop our workforce to meet education to employment by strengthening the needs of businesses whilst enabling all links between employers and education applicants lacked the appropriate skills.” residents to maximise their potential. providers; Cllr David Williams, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council In 2017, a consultation process began to • Supporting vulnerable adults, the gather stakeholder views on the draft Skills unemployed and those aged 50 and above back into the jobs market; (up from 3.6% in 2015) • Enhancing opportunities through lifelong Apprenticeship Strategy learning by improving adult English and Apprenticeships are a key priority for the profile of apprenticeships as a viable Skills Summit 2017 maths skills, particularly in areas with a the LEP and play a vital role in growing career path to students, parents and education In October 2017, we hosted a Skills disproportionate number of low-skilled our local economy. The goal of our providers; promoting apprenticeships to adults Summit to discuss the challenges and residents; Hertfordshire Apprenticeship Strategy is for as a route to career progression; ensuring the opportunities still facing Hertfordshire’s • Closing skills gaps in key sectors such as employer participation to increase and for provision of quality apprenticeships that reflect labour market and gather the views of key life sciences, the creative industries and care apprenticeships to be seen as a valuable evolving business needs; and working closely 57% stakeholders including businesses, public professions; development opportunity and career pathway with employers to improve information with of businesses sector organisations, schools, colleges • Providing SMEs with targeted skills training for residents by 2020. regard to the apprenticeship levy. and training providers. support. Shifting negative perceptions remains a key To achieve the objectives of the strategy, invested Delegates in attendance took part The case studies that follow highlight some of challenge. Overall take-up of apprenticeships an Apprenticeship Action Plan will be in staff in workshops on the proposed Skills the work we have done to deliver these goals has increased since the last Apprenticeship produced by key stakeholders and reviewed Framework and the draft Hertfordshire over the past year. Strategy targets of 2014, however there annually to ensure modifications are made in training Skills Strategy to 2020, weighing in on still remains significant numbers of unfilled light of changing government, economic and key issues faced by their organisations. vacancies on the Apprenticeship Vacancy other factors. Feedback from these workshops helped Online System – around 440 vacancies in the shape the second Skills Strategy, released Hertfordshire area over a 4 week period from in January 2018. June to July 2017. We are tackling this issue by actively raising (up from 53% in 2015)

Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 20 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 21 Case study 2 SKILLS & EMPLOYMENT Connecting schools and businesses

As part of the Careers & Enterprise Company programme, we link senior figures from the business community with local schools to create opportunities for young people to explore their career aspirations.

We partnered Wheathampstead-based T&B and working alongside schools such as (Contractors) Limited with Heathlands school Heathlands that we can understand what for deaf pupils in St Albans to increase the adjustments we may need to make.” school’s business engagement and provide The Careers & Enterprise Company valuable career opportunities for students. programme is delivered locally by Enterprise Adviser Danie French, T&B’s Hertfordshire LEP in partnership with YC CSR and Office Manager, worked closely with Hertfordshire. As of 2017, we have recruited the school to tailor a programme of inspiring over 80 school and 76 Enterprise Advisers to Case study 1 opportunities to suit the needs of young people the programme from a wide range of sectors with hearing difficulties, which included a including banking (Santander), hospitality Promoting the STEM agenda careers talk, work placements, group visits to (Marriott), pharmaceuticals (GSK) and more. major local employer Whipsnade Zoo, and a Above right: Local police officers hold a workshop held by the local police. workshop for students. We invested £1.039m into the Airbus Foundation Discovery Curriculum Lead Teacher Nicola Jackson Below: Heathlands student undertakes a work Space; a cutting-edge education centre that uses the search said: “The impact Danie has had on me and placement at T&B (Contractors) Limited. the students at Heathlands is significant. Her for life on Mars as a powerful learning tool. range of contacts is proving invaluable to us as we try to give students an insight into the The multi-functional education centre, and develop space exploration vehicles. different careers they might be interested in.” launched in February 2017 by astronaut The centre is jointly funded by Hertfordshire Mark Hickson, Managing Director of T&B Tim Peake, was created to inspire the next LEP, Airbus and the Airbus Foundation (Contractors) Limited said: “We are acutely generation to consider careers in science and is run in partnership with North aware of how difficult it is for those with and engineering to ensure future demand for Hertfordshire College. disabilities to make their way into the work STEM-related skills can be met. Mark Bretton, Hertfordshire LEP Chair said: environment, particularly in the construction The centre consists of a state-of-the-art “We are delighted to be part of this ambitious industry. It is through work placements Top: Astronaut Tim Peake classroom for interactive workshops, an project which uses the search for life on Mars launches the Airbus Foundation exhibition space where children can explore as a powerful learning tool. By finding out Discovery Space. Photo: Airbus/ and learn independently, and a viewing about the tremendous advances in space Max Alexander. “T&B has always had a Below: School visit to the Airbus gallery to the ExoMars Rover testing yard; a exploration happening on their doorstep we Foundation Discovery Space. simulation of the surface of Mars used to test hope to encourage more young people locally strong ethos on training to pursue careers in engineering, technology and science.” and development Andrew Stroomer, Head of Airbus in which many of our staff Stevenage said: “We want the Airbus Foundation Discovery Space to inspire the have benefitted from. next generation of engineers, technicians and scientists. As part of that, we will put a focus For them to now help Want to become on disadvantaged communities, bringing others develop careers an Enterprise experience and opportunity to those who Adviser? would not otherwise be engaged.” within our business is Please contact info@ It is anticipated that 27,000 Key Stage 2 hertfordshirelep.co.uk for students will visit the centre over the next 5 very rewarding.” more information. years, with 90% of schools seeing an increase Mark Hickson, in STEM engagement. Managing Director at T&B

22 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 23 ENTERPRISE ZONE

SKILLS & EMPLOYMENT The leading destination for enviro-tech firms We are working with agri-tech pioneer Rothamsted Research and world-leading building science centre, Building Research Establishment, to nurture an enviro-tech ecosystem with the potential to attract 800 new firms and deliver 8000 jobs.

The Hertfordshire Enviro-Tech Enterprise Zone Investment will also be made in high is made up of 107 hectares of greenfield land capacity digital infrastructure essential to Key milestones across seven strategically located sites. enviro-tech research and innovation, and skills Almost 3 million sq. ft. of high quality development to meet employer needs. The first Case study 3 commercial space will be built over the next Steve Melligan, Strategic Land Portfolio 1 ten years, adhering to the highest standards of Manager at the Crown Estate, the largest enviro-tech sustainability, in line with the Enterprise Zone’s single Enterprise Zone landowner with 55 tenants have Investing in enviro-tech principles. In December 2017, green hectares said: “We are pleased to support developer Prologis began construction on the the Enterprise Zone project and its enviro- been secured at We are investing in the modern facilities and equipment first site, Prologis Park, which has the potential tech aspirations. This is a great opportunity the Rothamsted needed to deliver high quality training programmes across to offer up to 585,000 sq. ft. of industrial and to create new employment spaces and jobs Hertfordshire’s growing industry sectors. distribution space across 35 acres. for local people and to support the successful Research Graham Lane, Hertfordshire LEP Board growth of the wider Hemel Hempstead area.” campus. Member said: “We are delighted to have The project is being delivered in North Herts College attracted a developer with such excellent partnership with BRE, Rothamsted Research, We invested £400k towards the upgrading of which will be open to local SMEs sustainability credentials, meeting our ambition St Albans City and District Council, Dacorum 2 Planning of facilities at the Engineering & Construction outside teaching hours to help drive small to establish a commercial area that will set the Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Campus at North Hertfordshire College, business growth. standard for sustainable development.” Council, the University of Hertfordshire and permission has increasing the quality and quantity of learning Adrian Hawkins, Hertfordshire LEP The project was awarded Enterprise Zone The Green Triangle. been granted programmes, including apprenticeships, to Deputy Chair said: “We know how vital it status by the Department for Communities and meet the skills needs of local employers. is to deliver higher level apprenticeships, Local Government in April 2017 for 25 years, on three sites, The funding has allowed the college to invest particularly in relation to engineering, enabling significant investment in transport with construction in industry-standard engineering equipment to technology and construction. By replicating infrastructure to improve accessibility to the create a state-of-the-art learning environment a modern sector workplace, apprentices will Maylands area. underway on Top: North Herts College Engineering student. comparable to a modern workplace. There is be equipped to enter the local workforce and Prologis Park. Below: The new West Herts also 1229m² of new and improved training floor make a valuable contribution to the College Dacorum campus. space created within the 19,000 sq. ft. facility, all local economy.” 3 Good partnerships have West Herts College We invested £5m towards the construction tune with the region’s growth industries.” been formed with of the new West Herts College Dacorum The new campus is part of an ambitious developers, with Campus; a 90,000 sq. ft. building equipped plan to transform the centre of Hemel with modern classrooms and flexible event Hempstead, a previously underperforming strong public spaces, which has enabled the college area in terms of education, and aims to support for the to broaden its curriculum with a range of promote skills development by providing an new engineering, technology and inspiring and well developed local facility. Enterprise Zone’s construction courses. A further £5.1m has been awarded to enviro-tech Principal Gill Worgan says “The new phase 2 of this project, which involves facilities will complement the recently the development of a flagship campus principles. modernised Building Services workshops, delivering a broad based Engineering allowing the college to offer a curriculum in related curriculum. Green developer Prologis begins construction on site.

24 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership Annual Report 2017 25 NEXT STEPS Towards a Local Industrial Strategy The next 12 months brings one of the most exciting developments for Hertfordshire LEP as we prepare to develop a Local Industrial Strategy shaped by our business community and key partners.

The Government’s modern Industrial Strategy funding, co-ordinating business Growth Hubs White Paper sets out a long term plan to and establishing Enterprise Zones. boost the productivity and earning power of We welcome the opportunity to develop people throughout the UK. It also tasks a Local Industrial Strategy shaped by our Local Enterprise Partnerships to develop businesses and key partners that plays to our Credit: Imagination Local Industrial Strategies that play to their key sectorial strengths. technologies area’s strengths. Hertfordshire LEP has the potential to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) be a trailblazer for early delivery of a Local already play an important role in addressing Industrial Strategy. Our Strategic Economic substantive case for Hertfordshire based and Gene Therapy manufacturing centre in the priorities addressed in the Industrial Plan was updated in 2017 to take into on robust evidence. To that end, we will be Stevenage will contribute to the development “The development Strategy. We have set out our individual account the wider economic landscape engaging widely and closely with centres of a life sciences cluster and large-scale of a Local Industrial Strategic Economic Plans, which are backed and it has been agreed and endorsed of expertise including the University of industry in the UK. up with substantial amounts of analysis on by our partners and stakeholders. Its Hertfordshire and other centres of academic Our creative industry twin peaks of Strategy is a huge local sectors, skills challenges and places strategic priorities align closely with the Five and research excellence, Hertfordshire County production at Warner Bros. Studios of opportunity. We have also taken on Foundations of Productivity, illustrated below. Council and, crucially, our business community, Leavesden and Elstree Studios are world opportunity to responsibility for directing local European It is vital that collectively we build a from our SMEs to major corporates. class and making significant contributions showcase our Our Annual Conference 2018 will mark the to the UK economy. Rothamsted Research start of this process and will be shaped around and BRE are making huge advances in assets and the four Grand Challenges: sustainability and clean growth, respectively Building on our foundations • Artificial Intelligence and Data in agri-tech and the built environment. And develop the skills, Economy – putting the UK at the forefront with Airbus in Stevenage and the University innovation and Strategic Economic Plan Industrial Strategy of the artificial intelligence data revolution of Hertfordshire’s specialisms building on the • Clean Growth – maximising the legacy of British Aerospace in Hatfield, there is infrastructure for Maintaining global excellence Ideas advantages for UK industry from the global real potential here for us to come up with truly business growth” 1 in science and technology 1 shift to clean growth innovative solutions to the future movement of • Future of Mobility – becoming a world our people, goods and services. John Gourd, leader in the way people, goods and The task we face as a LEP is to harness Grand Challenges Harnessing our relationships Foundations services move some of this collective expertise. To that Commission Chair 2 with London (& elsewhere) 2 • Ageing Society – harnessing the power end we will be implementing a business-led of innovation to help meet the needs of an approach to developing a Local Industrial Re-invigorating our places Places ageing society. Strategy. 3 for the 21st Century 3 There is the real potential to drive growth We have set up a Commission led by by focusing on clusters of expertise, with former LEP Board Member John Gourd. John our industries, innovators and entrepreneurs will be supported by task and finish groups Foundations for growth Business playing a leading role in the technological led by renowned industry experts from across 4 4 revolution. the Grand Challenge areas who will help us to We have tremendous assets across all the gather evidence. This evidence will then help People Grand Challenge areas. Ocado and Tesco us to produce a Local Industrial Strategy that 5 Labs are using automation to transform their will play to our strengths, address some of our retail activities and the world’s first Catapult Cell weaknesses and boost our productivity.

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