The Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) are key partners in delivering Government policy to strengthen and grow regional economies.  They have a vital role in setting the economic strategic direction of their region and helping to catalyse economic growth and development.

RDAs are business-led organisations with real business skills and experience. They are non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) led by a Chair and Board appointed by Ministers. The Board is made up of fifteen members, chaired by and drawn mainly from business and includes representation from local government, higher and further education, the voluntary/community sector, and trade unions, plus rural interests.

RDAs have a critical role in matching regional and local priorities to national priorities, focusing on prioritising investments and ensuring co-ordination across local boundaries.  They are a key intermediary for business, with skills providers and local universities, in encouraging high quality, relevant training and commercial collaboration.

RDAs are jointly responsible with the new Local Authority Leaders’ Boards for the production and implementation of the new integrated regional strategies which bring together both the regional economic and regional spatial planning strategies.  These cover objectives for economic development, housing and climate change action.  From April the RDAs will become the single body with responsibility for producing the regional skills strategy and championing the skills agenda locally.

They have been given responsibility to deliver the Governments New Industry, New Jobs strategy and are uniquely placed to address both short term issues as well as maintaining a long term vision to help build a resilient economy for the future.

Further information can be found on the RDA website: http://www.englandsrdas.com