About the Greater Devon LSIP

Building a skills system shaped by employers

The Greater Devon Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) is an employer-led initiative designed to strengthen skills, training and workforce development across Plymouth, Devon and Torbay.

Led by Devon Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, the LSIP brings together employers, education providers, local authorities and strategic partners around a shared vision for the region’s future workforce.

The plan provides a framework for identifying skills priorities, addressing workforce challenges and creating stronger connections between employers and the organisations that deliver education and training.

By aligning skills provision more closely with employer need, the Greater Devon LSIP aims to support economic growth, improve productivity and create more opportunities for people across the region.

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Why It Matters

Helping Greater Devon thrive

Businesses across Greater Devon face a range of workforce challenges, from recruitment difficulties and skills shortages to changing technologies and evolving industry demands.

At the same time, learners and workers need clearer pathways into careers, more accessible training opportunities and better support to develop the skills employers need.

The Greater Devon LSIP provides a shared roadmap for addressing these challenges, ensuring that businesses, educators and decision-makers are working towards common goals.

Our ambition is simple: to create a more responsive skills system that works better for employers, learners and communities.

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Who Leads the LSIP?

Devon Chamber of Commerce

Devon Chamber of Commerce is the designated Employer Representative Body (ERB) for the Greater Devon LSIP.

As the organisation responsible for leading the plan, the Chamber works closely with employers, providers and public sector partners to gather intelligence, coordinate activity and ensure that employer voices remain at the heart of skills planning.

The Chamber has a long-standing track record of representing businesses across Devon and bringing together partners to support economic growth and workforce development.

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Implementation Partners

Working together to turn priorities into action

The Greater Devon LSIP works through a partnership approach.

Devon Chamber of Commerce has appointed NEon Solution Ltd as implementation partner for the 2026–2029 LSIP programme.

Founded by Nigel Fenn MBE, Emily Pearson and Steve Hope, NEon Solution brings extensive expertise in workforce development, learning and development, organisational change and skills strategy.

The consultancy played an important role in shaping the Greater Devon LSIP, working directly with employers across the region to identify workforce challenges, uncover opportunities and ensure that the plan reflects the realities facing businesses today.

Together, Devon Chamber and NEon Solution are working alongside employers, providers and stakeholders to implement the priorities set out within the plan and support meaningful, long-term change across Greater Devon.

Meet the team

The people behind the Greater Devon LSIP

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Ronnie Carter

Chief Innovation Officer | Devon Chamber of Commerce

Ronnie leads the Greater Devon LSIP programme on behalf of Devon Chamber of Commerce, working with employers, providers and partners in the region to ensure the plan delivers meaningful outcomes for businesses and learners.

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Nigel Fenn MBE

Co-Founder | NEon Solution

Nigel brings extensive experience in workforce development, organisational change and skills strategy. He has worked with employers across the region to identify workforce priorities and help shape the Greater Devon LSIP.

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Emily Pearson

Co-Founder | NEon Solution

Emily specialises in learning and development, organisational capability and employer engagement. Her work focuses on helping organisations develop the skills, leadership and workforce capacity needed for future growth.

Steve Hope

Co-Founder | NEon Solution

Steve brings significant expertise in leadership development, business growth and workforce planning, supporting organisations to build stronger and more resilient teams.

PJ Davolls

Senior Programmes Administrator | Devon Chamber of Commerce

PJ joined the team with a background in admin and law and brings a strong eye for detail, a global outlook and a passion for organisation, supporting the LSIP with project coordination.

Josiah Akanbi

Data and Business Analyst | Devon Chamber of Commerce

Josiah holds an MBA and an MSc in Data Science & Business Analytics. He specialises in transforming complex datasets into clear, actionable strategies that drive measurable business growth.

Governance and Partnerships

Guided by employers, informed by collaboration

The Greater Devon LSIP is supported by a wide range of employers, training providers, local authorities, universities, colleges and industry bodies.

This collaborative approach ensures that skills priorities are informed by real-world workforce needs while remaining aligned with wider economic and regional growth ambitions.

The plan is overseen through dedicated governance arrangements designed to provide strategic direction, accountability and ongoing employer engagement throughout the delivery period.

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Get Involved

Help shape the future workforce of Greater Devon

The success of the Greater Devon LSIP depends on continued collaboration across the region.

Whether you’re an employer, training provider, stakeholder organisation or community partner, there are opportunities to contribute insight, share expertise and help shape future skills priorities.

Interested in getting involved?

Contact the team at:

or explore the latest news, events and opportunities across the Greater Devon LSIP programme.