As its long-term Chief Executive, Rochie has overseen a period of great change not only for the local community, but also of the NCEP itself. While in the first few years the enterprise boards were seen by many as no more than grant agencies, those behind the NCEP initiative saw the greater longer term potential for roles such as that of provider of top quality support services to existing, new and potential Business Owners, local business lobby group and local culture change agents - promoting a pro-business culture via publicising those roles. That in turn resulted in the NCEP choosing to focus on these four key activities.

The boards growth is represented by the increase in the number consultations that take place every year. "The top priority of the Executives is to meet quietly with existing, new and future Business Owners, who are starting or growing their own business. What is offered is a one-to-one 'first port of call' business information and guidance service with support in the development of business proposals; in the planning of marketing strategies, in networking, in sourcing new linkages, new contacts and research facilities. Last year some 680 of these consultations took place, compared to a high of 1,000 in 1999 and an average of 500 in recent years. After these initial consultations our next most important priorities are the provision of business training and education, support to business networks and our school's business enterprise programme."

For the next national planning period, Rochie says the Board Members are committed to building an Enterprise Action Plan for each of the five local areas, where this proves feasible - this approach, he says, should maximise the potential for consultation in the planning phase and for the implementation of agreed actions in partnership with the Business Community in each of those local areas.

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