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| Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership | |
|---|---|
| Name | Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership |
| Formation | 2011 |
| Type | Local enterprise partnership |
| Headquarters | Leicester |
| Region served | Leicestershire, Leicester |
Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership is a regional public–private partnership established in 2011 to coordinate local growth and investment across Leicester and Leicestershire. It brings together private sector leaders, local authorities, universities and national bodies to promote development, infrastructure and skills initiatives across urban and rural areas. The partnership connects stakeholders from Leicester, Leicestershire, Hinckley and Bosworth, North West Leicestershire, Charnwood, Melton, Harborough, Oadby and Wigston with institutions such as University of Leicester, De Montfort University, Coventry University, East Midlands Airport, National Grid, Network Rail, Highways England.
Formed in 2011 following national reforms under the Cameron ministry and the Localism Act 2011, the partnership succeeded earlier local enterprise initiatives linked to Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council. Early strategic documents referenced national frameworks such as the BIS agenda and drew on comparative practice from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority. Major milestones included adoption of a strategic economic plan alongside projects tied to Enterprise Zone policies, collaboration with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund model and alignment with regional transport schemes influenced by Rail Package proposals. The partnership engaged with national programmes like Local Growth Fund rounds and responded to economic shocks including the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The body is governed by a board combining private sector chairs, local authority leaders from Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council, and senior figures from Leicestershire Police, East Midlands Development Agency successors, and higher education. Its substructures have included themed boards on innovation, skills and infrastructure with representation from British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses, Tech Nation, Manufacturing Technology Centre, Institute of Directors and Local Government Association. Executive delivery has been overseen by a chief executive reporting to board members drawn from corporate entities such as JLR, Rolls-Royce, Next plc, KPMG, PwC and regional employers like Walkers Snack Foods and Clarity Movement Co. Scrutiny and audit functions interfaced with National Audit Office expectations and Public Accounts Committee standards where national funding was deployed.
Strategic priorities have targeted growth in key sectors including advanced manufacturing, life sciences, creative industries and logistics, aligning with assets like Leicester Royal Infirmary, St George's Retail Park, City of Leicester College, Leicester Tigers, and logistics hubs serving East Midlands Gateway. Objectives emphasized skills partnerships with Leicestershire College, apprenticeships promoted via Trailblazer standards, and innovation networks linked to Knowledge Transfer Network and Innovate UK. Transport and skills aims referenced corridors such as the M1 motorway, A46 road, East Midlands Parkway railway station and connectivity to Birmingham Airport and Heathrow Airport through surface access plans. Environmental and housing components reflected links to National Planning Policy Framework and local housing delivery partnerships.
Major initiatives have included town centre regeneration in Leicester, enterprise zone development near Castle Donington and support for science park development adjacent to University of Leicester and Leicester Science Park. Workforce programmes partnered with Leicestershire and Rutland Sport, Leicester City Football Club community trusts and Business in the Community. Capital projects encompassed road improvements on A46, growth of East Midlands Airport freight capacity, and inward investment campaigns leveraging contacts at UK Trade & Investment and Department for International Trade. Innovation initiatives linked clusters around National Space Centre, Coalville, and the Melton Mowbray food sector, while cultural and creative support engaged Curve Theatre, Leicester Museum & Art Gallery and Leicester Comedy Festival partnerships.
Funding streams comprised Local Growth Fund awards, Local Transport Fund allocations, European Structural and Investment Funds prior to the Brexit withdrawal, and targeted business rates retention schemes with local authorities. Investment leveraged private capital from pension funds and institutional investors such as Legal & General and Aviva Investors, alongside grants from Arts Council England for cultural projects. Impact assessments referenced jobs created in manufacturing at JCB-linked supply chains, logistics employment at DP World sites, and apprenticeship uptake measured against national data from Department for Education. Economic modelling drew on inputs from Office for National Statistics regional accounts and comparative indices used by Centre for Cities.
The partnership network connected civic actors including Leicester Cathedral, Leicester Markets, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, and voluntary organisations like Voluntary Action Leicestershire and Citizens Advice. Business engagement included regional chambers, trade unions such as UNISON and GMB Union, and professional bodies like Royal Institute of British Architects and Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Educational partnerships engaged Leicestershire Adult Learning Service and 14–19 networks, while international links involved twinning relationships with cities promoted through British Council initiatives.
Critiques have focused on transparency of funding allocations raised by local campaigners and scrutiny from local media such as the Leicester Mercury and questions posed in meetings with MPs representing constituencies like Leicester East and Rutland and Melton. Debates emerged over prioritisation between urban regeneration and rural needs voiced by parish councils and county councillors, and disputes about transport prioritisation involving Highways England proposals. Controversies also touched on the transition from European Regional Development Fund reliance post-Brexit and challenges in meeting targets reported in regional audits and debated in chambers such as Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce.
Category:Organisations based in Leicestershire