Hertfordshire Futures is the new name for Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership. This name reflects the newly integrated status into Hertfordshire County Council following the decision by Government to empower democratically elected local leaders in supporting their local economies. This opportunity has been welcomed to align a strategic economic vision with other plans and strengthen the partnership with local government.
Core priorities remain the same: to accelerate employment, enterprise and innovation. Working with businesses, government, investors, education and not-for-profit organisations, Hertfordshire Futures will continue to put people at the heart of growth. Hertfordshire Futures will become part of the Growth and Environment directorate of Hertfordshire County Council, which is committed to shaping a sustainable and prosperous future for Hertfordshire with initiatives that foster economic growth, protect the environment, and build resilient communities for generations to come.
Since its formation in 2011, the LEP has played a pivotal role in determining and addressing local economic priorities. A dedicated team are focused on driving the local economy by boosting inward investment, key sectors, clean and inclusive growth by providing skills leadership, detailed economic intelligence, and a comprehensive package of support to Hertfordshire’s business community. This service offer continues under the new brand identity Hertfordshire Futures and its family of sub-brands.
Learn about Hertfordshire LEP's decade of delivery 2011 - 2021.
Vision
Hertfordshire is home to thriving sectors of international importance including creative media, film and TV, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, with an economy delivering over £42bn for UK plc annually. The vision is to accelerate business-led socio-economic growth in Hertfordshire, and for Hertfordshire to become a world-leading economy, creating lasting and profound benefits for our residents, businesses and communities.
This is to be delivered through the Strategic Economic Plan, which the successor bodies to LEPs are responsible for producing for their areas, by identifying barriers and solutions to growth and working with local partners to improve their business environment. Hertfordshire Futures is currently updating its Economic Plan and stakeholders will be invited to get involved at every stage.
View our Strategic Economic Plan 2017 - 2030
Governance
Hertfordshire Futures Board, formerly Hertfordshire LEP Board, is chaired by a business person and at least half of its members come from the private sector. Its role is to provide business leadership of economic growth and oversight of Hertfordshire economic strategy and delivery of Hertfordshire Futures programmes and services; advocacy and investment activity.
Learn about the role of the Board and sub-Boards.
Funding
Historically, LEPs have had responsibility for bidding for central government funding, channelling funding into key growth projects and ensuring that these deliver against locally agreed priorities, in addition to managing European funds allocated to LEP areas.
Government now channels future funds such as Levelling Up and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) via local authorities. The LEP plays a pivotal role in helping districts/boroughs to deliver UKSPF priorities at scale and tailored to local need.
Learn more about funding streams.
Values
Driving collaboration
We build, facilitate and sustain trusting relationships with partners for the benefit of Hertfordshire’s community.
People focussed
We aspire to create an inclusive environment, which encourages the development of our people and businesses.
Forward thinking
We proactively lead change through continuous learning and innovative thinking, seeking out opportunities for the benefit and development of Hertfordshire.
Integrity and accountability
We act with integrity and lead by example by being clear and transparent in all that we do.