D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership

D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership
Name	D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership
Type	Local enterprise partnership
Founded	2011
Region served	Derbyshire, Derby, Nottinghamshire, Nottingham
Headquarters	Derby

D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership is a regional economic development body covering Derbyshire, Derby, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham focused on business growth, infrastructure and skills. It operates within the landscape shaped by entities such as Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, HM Treasury, European Regional Development Fund, Local Enterprise Partnership networks and regional bodies including East Midlands Development Agency, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derbyshire County Council, City of Nottingham Council and Derby City Council. The partnership coordinates with local authorities, universities, corporations and civil society organizations to deliver investment programmes, skills initiatives, and transport schemes.

History

The partnership was established in the early 2010s alongside other LEPs following guidance from BIS and ministers in the Cameron ministry era, influenced by precedents like the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and Sheffield City Region. Early governance drew on experience from agencies such as Regional Development Agency structures and policy frameworks from Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills statements. It developed strategic plans aligned with national initiatives including the Local Growth Fund, City Deal arrangements, and priorities set during the 2010 United Kingdom general election aftermath. Major historical milestones include negotiation of devolved funding akin to arrangements pursued by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and engagement with pan-regional efforts like Transport for the North and the Midlands Engine.

Geography and Governance

The partnership geography spans urban centres such as Nottingham, Derby, Chesterfield, Mansfield, Worksop and rural districts including Amber Valley, Bolsover, Erewash, Bassetlaw, Ashfield and Rushcliffe. Its governance structure involves board members drawn from firms like Rolls-Royce Holdings, Bombardier Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation‎ operations, universities including University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, University of Derby and further education providers such as Derby College Group. Local authority representatives include leaders from Derby City Council, Nottingham City Council, Derbyshire County Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, with links to combined authorities and mayoral offices like the Mayor of the West Midlands discussions. Strategic oversight engages public bodies including Highways England, Network Rail and agencies such as Environment Agency and Historic England where infrastructure and heritage intersect.

Economic Strategy and Priorities

The partnership’s strategy targets sectors mirrored in regional clusters: advanced manufacturing exemplified by firms like Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Bombardier, and Jaguar Land Rover supply chains; life sciences linked to Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre and Clinical Commissioning Group interfaces; digital and creative industries connected to Pangea and media initiatives; logistics hubs proximate to East Midlands Airport and Derbyshire rail freight terminals; and low-carbon technologies associated with projects referencing Energy Technologies Institute research and Carbon Trust principles. Skills and apprenticeships are coordinated with frameworks from Education and Skills Funding Agency, UK Commission for Employment and Skills precedents, and employer-led initiatives similar to Trailblazer apprenticeships. Innovation policies reference funding mechanisms such as Innovate UK, Research Councils UK collaborations, and partnerships with research-intensive institutions like University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University.

Major Projects and Investments

Key infrastructure projects include transport schemes interfacing with East Midlands Gateway, rail enhancements involving Network Rail programmes, and urban regeneration aligned with schemes seen in Derby Riverside and Nottingham Waterside. Investments have targeted enterprise zones modelled on Enterprise Zone (United Kingdom) concepts and business parks akin to Sinfin Industrial Estate developments. Significant collaborations have involved funding streams from European Regional Development Fund and national pots such as the Local Growth Fund and Getting Building Fund. Property and brownfield regeneration efforts echo approaches used in Brownfield Land Remediation projects and town centre revitalisation initiatives comparable to Nottingham Broadmarsh and Derby intu redevelopment proposals.

Funding and Performance

Funding allocations have been negotiated with central departments including HM Treasury and administered in partnership with agencies like East Midlands Development Agency successors, leveraging match funding from private investors such as HSBC and regional banks similar to Lloyds Banking Group initiatives. Performance metrics reference indicators used by bodies like Office for National Statistics for employment, productivity and GVA assessments, and compliance with audit regimes exemplified by National Audit Office scrutiny. Evaluation draws on methodologies from UK Research and Innovation programmes and programme appraisals comparable to Green Book (HM Treasury) guidance.

Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement

The partnership maintains formal relationships with universities including University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University and University of Derby; training providers such as Derby College Group and East Midland Colleges Group; industry bodies like Confederation of British Industry and Federation of Small Businesses; transport partners Network Rail and East Midlands Railway; investors including British Business Bank initiatives; and civic organisations similar to Chambers of Commerce and Local Nature Partnerships. Engagement mechanisms use boards, advisory groups and sector councils influenced by models employed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Leeds City Region to align investment, skills and innovation priorities.

Category:Local enterprise partnerships