Upstream London: next phase industrial strategy launched
Hammersmith & Fulham Council Leader Stephen Cowan last week launched the next phase of the borough’s pioneering industrial strategy, Upstream London, which is set to cement White City Innovation District’s status as a global hub of innovation and inclusive growth.
The launch event – which was also addressed by Imperial President Hugh Brady – took place at OnSide’s WEST Youth Zone in White City Innovation District in front of an audience of academics, residents from the White City community and beyond, representatives from anchor institutions, start-up and scale-up founders, business leaders and Government minister Baroness Taylor of Stevenage.
The landmark partnership between Hammersmith & Fulham Council and Imperial College London was first established in 2017 to create a cluster of science, technology, engineering, maths, medicines and media (STEM³) businesses around Imperial’s existing research and development – with the goal of building a world-leading economic ecosystem in future industries. The vision was for Hammersmith & Fulham to provide an inclusive, thriving and ambitious business and community hub, with the newly-formed White City Innovation District at its centre serving as a global beacon of growth through innovation.
“The key role local authorities can play in supporting economic growth through an entrepreneurial municipal government culture has been crystallised, in our thinking, through our experience of working on this agenda during the past seven years.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader Stephen Cowan
At a time when decision making is becoming more devolved and the Government is developing its national modern Industrial Strategy, we hope the crucial role of local authorities will be fully factored in.”
(ABOVE: Councillor Cowan is pictured talking to attendees at the launch of the next phase in the borough’s industrial strategy, Upstream London)
£6bn investment, 13,000 jobs
Since its inception, this strategic relationship between Hammersmith & Fulham Council and Imperial College London has succeeding in generating £6 billion of high-growth business investment, creating over 13,000 jobs, and boosting opportunities for stakeholders across the community through working in close collaboration with key partners including anchor institutions, businesses and investors.
“There is a collective ambition which is off the charts. I have never seen such ambition, such a spirit of partnership in any regions or Cities I have had the pleasure of working with or visiting. We are doing something special together.”
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London.
ABOVE: Professor Brady is pictured speaking at the event (bottom left), alongside Stephen Cowan (top middle) and Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (top right).
UPSTREAM PATHWAY BOND
The second phase and next exciting chapter of Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s industrial strategy also sees the introduction of the new Upstream Pathway Bond, a groundbreaking programme offering young people a clearer pathway into bright careers and new skills, harnessing Upstream London’s impactful relationships with businesses and international partners.
WATCH: London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Council Leader Stephen Cowan and Managing Director Prema Gurunathan of key supporting partner Upstream Nexus reflect on the pioneering Upstream initiative, plus introduce the new Upstream Pathway Bond – a transformational programme offering young people a clearer pathway into bright careers and new skills, harnessing Upstream London’s impactful relationships with businesses and international partners.
You can download and read the full Upstream London whitepaper here.
