New Local Economic Partnership for Ards and North Down Commits to Delivering Sustainable Economic Development across the Borough

The Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald met with the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Gillian McCollum, and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Borough's new Local Economic Partnership today (25 September) to learn more about the aspirations of this new group for sustainable economic progress across the local area.

Local Economic Partnerships (LEPs) are collaborative bodies that bring together local authorities, businesses, educators, and civic leaders to shape the economic future of their communities. LEPs provide strategic leadership, set local priorities, and help unlock investment to support innovation, infrastructure, and job creation.

Ards and North Down Borough Council hosted the first meeting of the new Local Economic Partnership (LEP) in August 2025. Members represent a broad and diverse group of stakeholders who are committed to working together to identify barriers to economic development and to co-design interventions that can enhance the region's value proposition, support local enterprise, and promote innovation and skills development. This work is being supported with £4.1m in funding from the Department for the Economy (DfE) over the next three years.

Welcoming the new partnership, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: "Local Economic Partnerships play a vital role in identifying the main barriers to economic development and the priority interventions that will build the region's value proposition. They also drive a regionally balanced economy where everyone shares the benefits of prosperity."

At the inaugural meeting, the Partnership appointed Alderman Alan McDowell as Chair and Derek Wright, President of the Newtownards Chamber of Commerce, as Vice-Chair. Along with Alderman McDowell, the Partnership includes four elected members—Cllr Craig Blaney, Cllr Joe Boyle, Cllr Carl McClean and Cllr Eddie Thompson. They join representatives from SERC (Further Education), North Down

Development Organisation and Ards Business Hub (Local Enterprise Agencies), Ards and North Down Business Forum (local business reps), the University of Ulster and the Third Sector. The partnership is further supported by Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for the Economy.

Reflecting on his appointment Alderman McDowell said: "It's an honour to serve as Chair of this important new Partnership. Our aim is to create more good jobs and growth, to encourage start-up businesses, help existing businesses to grow, and attract new businesses to the Ards and North Down area. With Derek Wright as Vice Chair, we have a strong leadership team ready to champion innovation, investment, and inclusive growth."

Following the inaugural meeting of the Partnership a workshop for LEP partners took place on 16 September to discuss potential projects and Borough specific gaps in provision that can be addressed through the LEP Action Plan (running from now until 2028). The workshop was both productive and collaborative, with positive feedback from attendees. Initial ideas were captured and will be used to help shape a targeted LEP Action Plan. This marks a strong start to the Partnership's efforts to address local gaps and develop impactful projects across the Borough.

Iain Joannides, Head of Eastern Region at Invest NI, commented: "We are working closely together with Ards and North Down LEP to help them identify opportunities for economic development in this area, and the initiatives that will make the greatest impact. Through greater collaboration and more purposeful partnerships we can achieve regional balance, enabling more businesses to start, scale and expand within the Borough."

Ards and North Down Borough Council is committed to championing sustainable economic development through strategic collaboration and long-term investment, ensuring that the Ards and North Down remains a thriving environment for business, innovation, and opportunity.