Recently we have been introducing you to all the members of our Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) team. This week we spoke to Matt Tudge who heads up the team and is Head of Skills Planning at Business West. We asked about why the LSIPs are so important, what a typical week looks like in Matt's role and what his idea of a perfect Sunday is.  

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career background.

I joined Business West almost 4 years ago, working both in the Innovate UK Business Support team as an innovation and growth specialist and in the Nuclear South West team as an investment specialist. Prior to this for the last 10 or so years I’ve been working in the South West in low carbon, business growth support and skills analysis. In previous lives I’ve also been a chef, support worker and graphic designer.

What is your current role at Business West?

Head of Skills Planning, so aligning research projects including the LSIPs with the needs of our businesses!

Who are you interested in engaging with as part of your current role?

Skills affects everyone and is a vital part of growth planning (whether they think so or not) so I will talk to anyone, often at length! 

Why do you think the LSIPs are so important to Gloucestershire, Swindon & Wiltshire and the West of England?

The LSIPs are a truly unique opportunity, providing voice for employers that leads to real change responding to need.

What does a typical week look like for you?

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I’ll often have numerous meetings in the day with our partners and stakeholders, looking at the future, aligning activities and potential partnerships to add value, then in between I could be writing reports, preparing for events, looking for new opportunities or thinking about the future, all whilst being disturbed by my cat, Smokey (apologies if he introduces himself to you on a call) 

What is your favourite part of your role? 

It’s a toss up between the variety in each day and the passion of the people we work with! So many people have incredible ideas about what we can do to help businesses thrive and residents improve career prospects, so looking at how we as the Chamber of Commerce and LSIP delivery body can synthesise these or support others doing so is really rewarding.

Tell us about your perfect Sunday – what would it involve?

 A combination of sleep, hike, barbeque and continue to fit out the van I’m converting, then an early night.