Worcestershire was one of the first standalone, single-county LEPs to be approved in December 2010 by the Departments for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Communities and Local Government (CLG). It is one of 39 LEPs established by the Coalition Government with a role to help determine local economic priorities and lead economic growth and job creation. There are many advantages in being a single county LEP. Many of our stakeholders, partnerships and statutory bodies have a matching geography and we are able to align, co-ordinate and co-operate with them to exploit opportunities. Decision making and communication is therefore streamlined, enabling the partnership to be ‘fleet of foot’, committed, pro-active and ready to play its role. Our task is to shape the best business environment for the county, stimulate growth of the local economy, encourage inward investment, boost enterprise and job creation, and actively promote Worcestershire as an exceptional place to work, live and prosper. Worcestershire LEP is led by private sector businesses in partnership with the public sector – comprising Worcestershire County Council and the six district councils of Worcester City, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Malvern Hills, Wyre Forest and Wychavon.