South East England Development Agency is Closing on March 31, 2012

The Government has announced that all Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including SEEDA, will close by 31 March 2012.

Responsibility for economic development and regeneration in England is being passed onto successor bodies, including Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and central Government departments

Our objective is to ensure a professional and cost effective closure by this date.  We have pledged to work closely with our partners, contractors and stakeholders to ensure that the past and future economic benefits of key programmes and assets continue to deliver the greatest economic value for the South East and value for money for the taxpayer. 

Please click here for more details about our closure plan, transition arrangements and successor organisations.

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Oona Muirhead CBE

Chief Executive 

Oona Muirhead

Oona Muirhead CBE was appointed SEEDA’s Accounting Officer on 5 April 2011 and Chief Executive on 5 July 2011.  She is also the London 2012 Olympic Committee’s Representative in the South East.  Oona joined the South East England Development Agency in 2007 to develop and take forward a new strategy for growing the economy of the South East through focussed support to the low carbon and creative industries, including through maximising the benefits of the London 2012 Games.  As part of SEEDA’s downsizing to focus solely on getting businesses strong out of recession, Oona was selected as SEEDA’s Chief Operating Officer in Nov 2009.   Her previous career included 23 years in the Ministry of Defence in a wide range of policy, operational and communications roles prior to transferring to Defra in 2003 to act as Senior Responsible Owner for the design and implementation of the government’s programme to modernise rural services and support.   Prior to joining SEEDA she had a two-year stint as Director of Strategy & Communications in the Local Government Association developing the localism agenda and working to improve the quality and reputation of local government services.