Thames Estuary Growth Board

This week, the Thames Estuary team has been out across the country, demonstrating that our role in driving fair economic growth goes well beyond the Estuary and cuts across sectors, systems, and boundaries. Kate Willard OBE was in the #Humber with Treligan sharing her expertise on collaborative working to drive investment and fair growth in the Thames Estuary as part of their Protected Site Strategies R&D programme. This work will support Natural England and regional partners as they navigate complex questions about collaboration, nature, and growth. Gyula Törzsök and Andy Thompson spoke at the Connected Places Catapult Summit, drawing on our practical work to show how joined-up, place-led innovation can unlock infrastructure and opportunity through #decarbonisation, #energy #investments and new #partnerships. And Alex Mann supported Creative Estuary's Creative Place Shaping Together Symposium, championing the role of #culture and #creativity in how we shape and sustain thriving places. The Estuary is our home. But the work we’re doing here has impact far beyond it. #ThamesEstuary #FairGrowth #economicgrowth

UKREiiF - we’re back in 2025 - bigger, bolder unmissable - see you in Leeds!

New publication: Accelerating Fair Growth and Investment.   The Thames Estuary Growth Board is proving what regional leadership can deliver. Our latest publication sets out how we’ve identified £49 billion of potential inward investment, safeguarded and accelerated £2.6 billion of investments already, and created a model of delivery that transcends traditional boundaries and breaks through long-standing barriers to growth.   This is growth with purpose. Not growth for its own sake, but fair, sustainable economic growth that improves lives, unlocks potential, and supports national renewal.   From hydrogen and digital to housing and waterborne freight, we’re delivering at scale across a region of 4 million people. And we’re doing it in partnership - sharing methods and solutions with others across the UK and internationally.   This publication is not a promise of action. It’s our record of it.   📄 https://lnkd.in/dHVj4qJh   #FairGrowth #ThamesEstuary #investment #hydrogen #netzero #housing

Our Envoy, Kate Willard OBE, and Strategic Investment Director, Frances Moffett-Kouadio were on the ground at MIPIM last week, representing the Thames Estuary and showcasing the scale of opportunity across our region.   They joined conversations on #investment, #innovation, and #infrastructure - positioning the Estuary at the forefront of delivering fair economic growth. As ever, our focus is on making things happen, unlocking private capital, accelerating delivery, and creating places that work for people and business.   Key takeaways from this year’s discussions: - #AI and #CleanGrowth – these are no longer future opportunities. They’re here, and regions like ours are making them investable. - #Publicprivatecollaboration is non-negotiable – it’s clear that long-term partnerships, not short-term deals, will define success. - #Place matters more than ever – whether it’s economic growth or #netzero, the message is that action happens locally, and impact scales nationally.   The Thames Estuary Growth Board is proud to be driving a bold, collaborative approach that delivers fair economic growth - one that supports local communities, attracts global investment, and helps the UK compete on the world stage.   Some brilliant connections made, and even more to come.   #MIPIM2025 #ThamesEstuary #FairGrowth #Investment 

Today we’ve published our response to the Government’s final decision on Pan-Regional Partnership (PRP) funding. The Thames Estuary Growth Board has delivered a £49bn investment pipeline, safeguarded £2.6bn to date, and is backing over £4.5bn of net zero investment. We’re proud of what we’ve built and we’re just getting started. As our Chair, Kate Willard OBE, puts it: “We have 1.3 million jobs to deliver. We have 1 million homes to deliver. We have £190 billion of value to the economy to deliver. We continue to deliver, without pause for breath. Let’s crack on.” 📄Read the full statement in the document below. #FairGrowth #ThamesEstuary #Investment #UKGrowth

Thames Estuary Envoy Kate Willard OBE and Jace Tyrrell, CEO of Opportunity London hold the eternal debate - Thames Estuary and London, or London and the Thames Estuary? Whichever side of the argument you fall, together they represent the UK's most exciting, ambitious and innovative investment opportunities. Speak to them both at MIPIM this week, or contact us to set up a meeting.

Kate Willard OBE and Frances Moffett-Kouadio are at MIPIM! Get it touch and make sure you don't miss out on the best investment opportunities in the UK.

AI relies on the right infrastructure: data centres, clean energy, and strong digital connectivity. Without it, the UK can’t lead in AI innovation. That’s why the Growth Board and our partners across industry and the estuary are taking action, making the case to become an AI Growth Zone to unlock investment and ensure we collectively have the power and support to deliver with local impact.   Yesterday, we brought together public sector, industry, and academic leaders at Fair Economic Growth through Digital Connectivity to tackle the big questions: how do we build the infrastructure our communities, businesses and AI needs, and how do we make sure digital transformation drives fair economic growth across the Estuary?   A huge thank you to all our speakers and panellists who made the day such a success, including Lord Kulveer Ranger, Vera Kukic, Anthony Okereke, Darren Shenkin, Eddie Copeland, Robin Bosworth, Trevor P. Dorling, Cassandra G., Claire Delahunty, Carol Thomas, Liz Harrison, Douglas P., Ian Blake, Anthony Crowther and Muhammad Khan. Your insights helped drive forward key conversations on the infrastructure needed to power AI and ensure digital transformation benefits every part of the Estuary.   We’re also incredibly grateful to our sponsors and partners for making this event possible, including ITS TECHNOLOGY GROUP LIMITED, DG Cities, Hyphen, Local London , South Essex Councils (SEC), Kent County Council and Essex County Council. The energy in the room showed just how critical this agenda is, not just for the Estuary, but for the UK. The Thames Estuary is leading the charge turning insight into action. If you want to be part of shaping this future, now’s the time to get involved. #ai #infrastructure #datacenters #digital. Peter Chamberlain photography.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined Spotlight on Thurrock last week - an event that showcased the Borough's immense potential for sustainable housing growth, infrastructure improvements and job creation.   Frances Moffett-Kouadio, our Strategic Investment Director, brought the Thames Estuary Growth Board’s perspective to the discussion, highlighting how collaboration between government, industry, academia and local businesses is key to unlocking Thurrock’s future. From investing in skills development to ensuring the right infrastructure is in place, the Estuary is primed for growth. We’re here to make it happen.   Great to share the stage with Jen Craft MP, Cllr Lee Watson from Thurrock Council, Stuart Rimmer MBE from Thames Freeport , Jayne Sheehan from South Essex College of Further and Higher Education and Ray Houghton, from BDW Homes. and to see such strong engagement from the local community and developers. We’re looking forward to continuing the work to drive fair economic growth across the region.

Two years of impact. Billions in investment. Real economic growth happening now. Since our launch, we have: - Safeguarded £2.6 billion in infrastructure, investment, and housing - Supported £4.5 billion in net zero investments, including green hydrogen, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and battery storage - Unblocked planning issues to secure £557 million in investment and 3,940 jobs in Dartford - Identified £49 billion in potential inward investment - Led projects on flood resilience, waterbourne freight, digital infrastructure, and decarbonisation, ensuring the Estuary is a powerhouse for the future And with your partnership, we’re just getting started. Thank you. ❣️