Enterprise M3 presses ahead with driving growth, innovation and skills development in Hampshire and Surrey

Following an announcement from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the funding arrangements for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) from April 2024, Enterprise M3 LEP is emphasising our continued commitment to delivering for our region.

EM3 LEP, its Growth Hub and Careers Hub are all fully funded for the remainder of this financial year and geared up to press ahead with plans to drive innovation and sector growth, provide business support and enhance skills development across Hampshire and Surrey.

In early Autumn we look forward to sharing our annual impact report and celebrating the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of our region at our ‘sell out’ annual business conference in October.  (The conference, Celebrating Our Innovation Region, is now fully subscribed but you can sign up to the waiting list to be first in line if a place becomes available, here).

Other key activity for the remainder of 2023-24 includes building on EM3’s success at driving high growth sector clusters, by continuing to lead the development of a Hampshire-based Jet Zero Cluster and exploring other exciting emerging sector clusters, around life sciences and agricultural technology. We are also mapping growth potential within the multi-site EZ3 Enterprise Zone which will be used to drive an inward investment marketing plan later this year.

Each year, the LEP supports more than 4,000 businesses via our Growth Hub and 90,000 learners benefit from the work of our Careers Hub, both of which have a full programme of activity planned for the rest of 2023-24.

Commenting on the Government announcement Michael Queen, Chair of Enterprise M3 said:

“I am proud of EM3 and its impressive record of delivering for the region. Since it was established twelve years ago EM3 has invested more than £730 million in the region, created or safeguarded more than 11,000 jobs and attracted £320 million in foreign investment. In the months ahead the EM3 team will continue to build on this legacy, ensuring that EM3 businesses can thrive and our region’s people have the skills needed for future success.

“Friday’s Government announcement was in line with what we expected and positive discussions have already been underway with both Hampshire County Council and Surrey County Council. We look forward to working closely with them as we jointly develop a well-funded plan for the future of LEP services, ensuring that our businesses, district local authorities, universities, schools and colleges in our region continue to benefit from targeted, expert support and the collaborative spirit that has enabled EM3 to achieve so much.”