Who We Are

SEEDA works to secure economic development through expert interventions, expert deal-making and expert advice. We provide businesses with the support they need to grow, through our in-depth knowledge of their needs and the economic conditions, in which they operate.

SEEDA is one of England’s nine Regional Development Agencies, and is primarily funded by the United Kingdom Government through the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). It was established in 1999 and has led the development and implementation of the Regional Economic Strategy for South East England. Under legislation currently progressing through Parliament, the Regional Economic Strategy 2006-2016 will be placed alongside the South East Plan (the Regional Spatial Strategy) to form a single Regional Strategy. SEEDA is working together with the South East England Leaders Board, which represents local government across the South East, as the South East England Partnership Board, to develop and deliver a new integrated Single Regional Strategy.

SEEDA is currently undergoing an organisational restructure to become smaller, more focused, agile and responsive. Our new focus is on helping businesses through the recession and readying them to take advantage of the upturn from a position of strength. We will bring together our close understanding of the region and local economies with strategic policy work to deliver high-level advice, expertise and leadership to promote economic development.

Key Achievements

During 2008-2009, SEEDA’s activities delivered:

over 8,000 jobs created or saved
over 17,000 people assisted into jobs
22,000 people assisted with skills development

Independent research by PriceWaterhouseCoopers shows that during the period 2002-2007:

Overall, every £1 invested by SEEDA achieved a return of £5.60 to the South East economy;
Every £1 invested by SEEDA in attracting foreign investment achieved a return of £14.60.