Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has appointed Vinita Nawathe as its new Executive Director.
Vinita Nawathe is an experienced senior executive and non-executive who enjoys working at the interface of the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Vinita became an independent consultant in 2013 offering interim management, strategy and policy development advice. Through her consultancy she has helped develop local economic strategy for Local Enterprise Partnerships and Local Authorities in the South West of England and has had senior interim roles – including an assignment as Interim Director at Dorset LEP. Vinita spent seven years as Managing Director of South West Observatory; a data, research and intelligence hub for the South West of England, of which Dorset, Bournemouth and Poole were key Local Intelligence Network partners. She was previously Policy and Research Director of Passenger Focus (now Transport Focus), a national Non-Departmental Public Body working on transport and consumer issues.
Vinita’s is currently a board member of Cardiff Community Housing Association (CCHA), a social landlord which builds and manages affordable housing and is an Independent Governor of Bath Spa University where she sits on the Finance and Infrastructure and Investment portfolio committees. Vinita is also a board member (formerly Chair) of TravelWatch SouthWest, a Community Interest Company ensuring a strategic view of the region’s passenger transport issues is informed by specific local knowledge and expertise. Vinita will guide the implementation of Dorset LEP’s 2022/2023 Delivery Plan which focuses on renewed priorities of business-led economic insight and activity for productivity-led growth.
Commenting on her appointment Vinita said: “I am very much looking forward to joining Dorset LEP in October. The P in LEP is paramount for me. A strong local partnership collectively focused on securing prosperity for our area is key, particularly in challenging economic times.“
Cecilia Bufton, Chair of Dorset LEP, said: “We are delighted to welcome Vinita back to Dorset LEP. Her extensive high-level economic policy and strategy experience will be vital in helping us to achieve our ambitions for the coming year, particularly in a changing political landscape. Vinita’s expert knowledge of both local authority priorities and business needs will help to focus our delivery further and strengthen our relationship with our public and private sector partners to reinvigorate Dorset’s economy. I would like to also take this opportunity to thank Dr Corrina Osborne for her outstanding commitment and leadership as Interim Director, overseeing the successful delivery of our £11.8m Getting Building Fund capital investment programme and working with the Board to respond to national LEP policy developments, helping us to re-focus and revitalise our plans to enable the voice of business to be represented locally.”
The role of business in shaping local economies has been recognised by Government and local authority partners. This appointment reaffirms Dorset LEP’s commitment to bringing public and private sectors together to attract investment, support business growth, encourage innovation and provide opportunities for people to acquire the skills they need to succeed. Further information about Dorset LEPs ambitions and priorities can be found in its 2022/2023 Delivery Plan.