What is a Local Enterprise Partnership?

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are led by businesses and local authorities across natural economic areas. They provide the vision, knowledge and strategic leadership required to drive sustainable private sector growth and job creation in their areas.

There are currently 33 recognised LEPs across England covering 93% of the population, 1.9 million businesses and 21 million employees. Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP was amongst the first to be approved by Government.

Our Journey

In June 2010, Government called on business leaders and local authorities to set out plans for developing Local Enterprise Partnerships which would take on the duty of leading economic development in ‘functional economic areas’.

Following wide consultation with the business community and other stakeholders, a submission was made to Government on September 6 2010. After being approved by Government, a Development Board was established to oversee establishment of the LEP including governance arrangements, the recruitment of a representative Board, development of an Interim Economic Strategy and to lead on Regional Growth Fund bids and Enterprise Zone proposals.

A rigorous recruitment process for a strong and representative Board was launched at the beginning of 2011. Over 80 applications were received for nine private sector positions and the full Board commenced its work at its first meeting on June 8 2011.