Hampshire Economic Partnership bids farewell to its Managing Director

Warm tributes have been paid to the man who has served as Managing Director of the Hampshire Economic Partnership (HEP) for the last three years.

Peter Dean left HEP on Friday (26 September) to take up a new post as General Manager of South West Hampshire LIFTCo, which is involved in the construction of new building projects for the public sector.

Andrew Lloyd, Rushmoor Borough Council’s Chief Executive, HEP board member and Chairman of the Company’s Executive, said: “I am extremely grateful for the support I have received from Peter. He has done an outstanding job for the company.  The strength of his professional and business acumen have helped to drive the company forward to the stage where it is so widely known and respected across the region.”

Caroline Williams, Chairman of the Hampshire Economic Partnership, added: “Peter has done a fantastic job at raising the profile and the reputation of the HEP across the region. Under his stewardship, the company has been able to play an active part in the development of the South East Development Agency’s regional economic strategy and in the regional assembly, making sure that the best interests of Hampshire’s businesses are at the heart of its decision-making.”

The Hampshire Economic Partnership was established in 1992 and brings together business and local government to influence government policy and support the economic prosperity of Hampshire and its cities.

Its aims are to identify and champion the needs and priorities of Hampshire business; to provide an authoritative economic voice for business and to ensure that the best decisions are made for the sustainable economic prosperity of the area.

Mr Dean, 53, joined the HEP in January 2006 after a long and successful career in the private sector, which included 17 years working in the Middle East. Outside of work, he lives in Wiltshire and is married with three children and relaxes by fishing and walking the family’s English Setters.

He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed the job. When I arrived, I’d never worked in the public sector before and it has been fascinating. I think Arabic was easier to learn than public sector language! But I’ve really taken pleasure in what I’ve done and in the people I’ve worked with and I am pleased to be leaving the company in a stronger and better position.”