Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed Paddy Bradley as its new director with overall responsibility for its day-to-day running and operations.
Paddy, pictured, joins the LEP from Swindon Borough Council where he was most recently head of economy, skills and property development. 
He has regularly provided strategic and operational support to the LEP in this role over the past three years
A highly experienced local government director, Paddy has a wide range of experience in the private sector as well having worked as a business analyst and system designer.
He also has more than 20 years’ experience as a teacher, headteacher and education inspector. In his new role he is particularly keen to see young people across Swindon and Wiltshire gain the necessary skills to attract additional high-value jobs to the area.
Paddy said: “I see my role, and that of the LEP as a whole, to be a catalyst in forging partnerships between the private and public sectors to drive economic growth throughout our area.“We have a pivotal location in southern England and an exceptional quality of life, making it an attractive area for businesses and other employers in which to invest.”
LEP chairman Barry Dennington added: “Paddy’s extensive experience and understanding across business, education and local government will be invaluable as we and our partners work towards our goal of creating wealth, jobs and new business opportunities throughout Swindon and Wiltshire.”
The LEP, which was formed in 2011, has four priorities – inward investment; supporting and stimulating existing business growth and facilitating new business set up; job creation, education and skills; and economic infrastructure.
Over the past two years it has secured £141m of central Government capital funding through the Local Growth Fund as well as a further €70m (£49m) from the European Structural Investment Fund to support local business development.
It also won the City Deal for Swindon and Wiltshire, allowing the area to offer a new innovative approach to skills development, aimed at service leavers and civilian employees.
The LEP will soon implement its 2016 Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) – a blueprint for the area’s economic growth over the next 10 years.
