About us

Newhaven Enterprise Zone’s mission is to transform Newhaven into a thriving business destination by 2030, with a repurposed town centre, to support growth sectors and boost the economy.

It’s current investment plan includes seven key initiatives including grant programmes to drive productivity, business growth and investment. Helping to create sustainable, inclusive jobs that benefit the entire community.

What is an Enterprise Zone?

Enterprise Zones have been set up by the government to drive local growth. They offer a range of incentives to businesses, such as business rate relief and simplified planning. By unlocking key development sites, consolidating infrastructure, attracting new businesses and creating jobs, Enterprise Zones offer benefits to surrounding communities.

All business rate growth generated by the Enterprise Zones is kept by the relevant local enterprise partnership and local authority for 25 years, allowing them to reinvest in local economic growth. For more information you can visit Enterprise Zones.

Why Newhaven?

Newhaven has substantial physical capacity for growth and is evolving to become a key harbour town on the South Coast. Its transport links offer strong opportunities for business growth and excellent employability prospects.

Newhaven is also part of the Greater Brighton City Region which is home to 695,000 people and almost 30,000 businesses. It is the home of growth, with an economy worth more than £15 billion and a large workforce.

The town is home to a growing and diverse economy with an emerging specialism in innovative, high-value growth sectors including offshore wind and marine engineering.

How will it affect Newhaven?

The Enterprise Zone aims to facilitate the regeneration of the town over the next 25 years, including a wider range of activities within the town centre and new facilities that will benefit businesses and the local community alike.

Newhaven is benefitting from being part of the greater Brighton city deal area which will enable it to fulfil its economic potential and become a high-performing urban economy.

Meet the Team

Corinne Day

Newhaven Enterprise Zone – Programme Director

Programme Director, Corinne, has more than 15 years experience building partnerships, effective strategy and organisational capacity for public and private sector organisations. Working with partners of the Enterprise Zone, the local community & businesses, Corinne is responsible for the delivery of the Enterprise Zone’s three strategic priorities; quality growth, inclusive growth & sustainable growth.

Michelle Connors

Newhaven Enterprise Zone – Business Engagement Officer

With strong business development experience across public and private sector organisations, Michelle is adept at building strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Her role with the Enterprise Zone will focus on supporting the delivery of objectives across key sectors and businesses and to lead a programme of business events in collaboration with key partners.

Charlotte Stock

Newhaven Enterprise Zone — Programme Administrator

Drawing on her knowledge of and past experience in project management roles within Publishing and Education, Charlotte monitors and coordinates the activities within the Enterprise Zone’s funded programmes and supports the team in its delivery of incentives to drive local business growth.

Nick Stockman

Towner Eastbourne – Newhaven Creative Producer

As Brighton Fringe’s first director and Culture24’s campaign leader, Nick has been involved in placemaking culture throughout his career. He led on the annual, UK-wide Museums at Night campaign which was a part of an international effort to attract young audiences to heritage sites. A Churchill Fellow, he has authored four published reports tackling audience development in museum visitation. Nick’s role will be helping to develop Newhaven’s cultural offer and supporting the town to maximise its creative energy.

Our Board

Graham Peters

Graham Peters

Chair of the Newhaven Enterprise Zone Board
Rebecca Conroy

Rebecca Conroy

CEO & Principal of East Sussex College
Robert Cottrill

Robert Cottrill

Chief Executive Officer of Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils
Captain Dave Collins-Williams

Captain Dave Collins-Williams

Port Manager & Harbour Master, Newhaven Port & Properties Ltd

Ken Dry

Newhaven Town Clerk
Ian Fitzpatrick

Ian Fitzpatrick

Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Lewes District and Eastbourne Borough Councils
James Harris

James Harris

Head of Economic Development, East Sussex County Council

Julia Johnson

Director, Fine Marketing Consultants Ltdc
Duncan Kerr

Duncan Kerr

Chief Executive Officer of The Wave Leisure Trust

Penny Shimmin

Chief Executive, Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA)

Mike Shorer

Goldsmith, Jewellery Designer & Trophy Maker President of Newhaven Chamber of Commerce