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Gloucestershire LEP celebrates first anniversary

Gloucestershire LEP has celebrated a successful first year, highlighting more than £200m of investment facilitated, and the creation of thousands of jobs.

Driven by economic development company GFirst, the LEP celebrated its first anniversary at Giffords Circus.

Since it was launched in May 2011, the LEP has secured £15m from central Government, and £7.5m from Gloucestershire County Council.

It has also attracted £8.4m from the Growing Places fund, and became the Government’s first Retail pathfinder.

Diane Savory, chair of Gloucestershire LEP, said: “We have had a very successful first year and would like to thank the hundreds of people that have taken the time and trouble to support us.

“Together we have surpassed Government’s expectation that LEPs should be ‘by business for business’ and are delivering results for our county.

“We look forward to our second year with great enthusiasm and a commitment to deliver the best possible results for Gloucestershire.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills Baroness Wilcox, who attended the anniversary event, said: “The Gloucestershire LEP is celebrating a fantastic first year in business.

“It has secured significant investment, created thousands of jobs and driven economic growth across the region. It is a great example of how LEPs can really help business to thrive and grow.

“I have every confidence that the Gloucestershire LEP will continue to build on this very successful first year.”

David Owen, chief executive of GFirst and the LEP, said: “The GFirst staff, the Board and Gloucestershire businesspeople have worked tirelessly in the first year of Gloucestershire LEP to achieve for this county and together we will build on this and ensure that Gloucestershire’s economy prospers.

“With promised investments, the Retail pathfinder and programmes to inspire our young people to achieve in business, there are exciting times ahead for Gloucestershire LEP.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .