White City showcased as model for growth as H&F launches economic blueprint
The success of White City Innovation District took centre stage today as innovation leaders from across the globe gathered for the first ever Upstream London Network Economic Forum, held at ARC West London.
The one-day event in WestTech London opened with the launch of Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s five-point blueprint for national economic growth, developed in partnership with innovation districts and leaders from Europe, Australia and South America. The launch brought together senior politicians, policymakers, researchers, business leaders and representatives of leading international innovation districts to discuss how countries can respond to accelerating technological innovation and intensifying global economic competition.
Unveiling the blueprint, its author Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of H&F Council and Chair of London Councils, pointed to White City Innovation District as a model for what place-based, innovation-led, inclusive economic growth can achieve. Drawing on the district’s experience, the report identifies five key ingredients:
- Triple-helix partnerships: anchor institutions, such as Imperial College London, working with government and business.
- Entrepreneurial municipal government: councils that actively shape inclusive, place-based growth.
- Start-up and scale-up support: affordable, flexible space, labs and expert advice on a collaborative campus.
- Investment attraction: venture capital and other finance to fuel growth.
- Inclusivity interventions: investment in facilities and services, plus a shared commitment to supporting citizens.
Download the Upstream London blueprint here.
Councillor Cowan said: “By working with partners from around the world to share what we have learned, and learn from them in return, this blueprint is building a practical model that can be adapted to support the Government’s mission of growth in every postcode.
Our experience in Hammersmith & Fulham shows that local government can play a powerful role in creating innovation-led economic success. By bringing businesses, universities, investors and communities together around a clear mission, we have attracted £6.5 billion of growth investment, curated 17,200 new STEM³ jobs and built one of the UK’s fastest-growing innovation economies.”
The agenda also featured panel speakers from across the WestTech London ecosystem, including Rob Heasman, Chief Executive Officer of The Earls Court Development Company, a Strategic Partner for the event; Suki Balendra PhD, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Paddington Life Sciences; Prema Gurunathan, Managing Director of Nexus; and Amanda Wolthuizen, Chief of Staff to the President, Imperial College London.
The message from the day was clear: turning ambition into action is a team sport, and the future is ours to build, together.
Speakers at the event included:
- Rt Hon Lord Heseltine
- Isabel Sabadi, CEO, 22@Barcelona
- Bjørn Reinseth, CEO, Forskningsparken (Oslo Science Park)
- Stefano Minini, General Director, Federated Innovation @MIND (Milan), and Director Science and Tech Europe, Lendlease
- Inger-Lise M. Nøstvik, General Manager, Kunnskapsbyen Lillestrøm (NODE60)
- Sir Steve Houghton, former Barnsley Council Leader
- Cllr Nazia Rehman, Leader, Wigan Borough Council
- Stephen Bush, Associate Editor, Financial Times
- Russ Shaw CBE, Founder, Global Tech Advocates
- Janet Coyle CBE, Managing Director, Grow London, London & Partners
- Ruth Curtice, CEO, Resolution Foundation
- Julian David, CEO, techUK
- Andrew Carter, CEO, Centre for Cities
Images copyright: Upstream London and Hammersmith & Fulham Council.