THE Local Enterprise Partnership for the North East has announced a new key appointment.
James Davies has joined the NELEP as a European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) policy and strategy co-ordinator.
He has previously worked with Sunderland City Council’s social policy team, and with Tyne and Wear City Region as a policy analyst.
The changes in ERDF post-2014 mean Davies will be providing expert assistance about potential funding opportunities for the NELEP area, and preparing for the LEP’s response to ERDF priorities in two years’ time, which revolve around “smart, sustainable, inclusive growth”. His post is funded by the ERDF.
NELEP chief executive Edward Twiddy welcomed the focus James will bring on key sources of funding for the North East. He said: “James has the understanding of policy areas and experience of dealing with complex grants to hit the ground running in his new role at NELEP. He will be a valuable member of our core team.
“EU funding will see big changes in two years’ time, with a much more joined up approach to European grants and projects from ERDF and other European grants bodies.
“James’s role will be to identify opportunities, help us make a strong case for targeted support and in doing so assist us in achieving significant new funding for major projects.”
Davies said: “I‘ve helped to win European funding for a variety of major projects across the region in my previous posts, and aim to drive forward regionally important projects at NELEP to benefit business and residents across its area.”
