A growth commission has been launched for the London-Stansted-Cambridge corridor with the aim of creating a 30-year vision for the region.
Inspired by Silicon Valley, Greater Munich and the northern powerhouse, the independent commission has been set up by the London-Stansted-Cambridge consortium, a partnership of public and private organisations on the M11/A10 corridors.
It aims to look at ways to boost inward investment, improve infrastructure and plug the tech skills gap in the region, which has delivered 10% of England’s population growth over the last decade and more than 15% of jobs growth.
The commission will be chaired by Harvey McGrath, former chair of Prudential and Man Group, who will lead a team of economists, business groups and representatives of academic institutions, including the University of Cambridge.
He said: “The most successful regional economies in the world have both scale and density, and extend beyond the boundaries of one city.
“Here we have two great cities, London and Cambridge, and we have transport infrastructure with huge potential.
“But there are problems. The rail link to Stansted Airport in particular is inadequate and firms are frustrated at staffing issues.
“Ideas, services and products that are created here are used throughout the world and for the UK to succeed in the global economy, the corridor needs to succeed.”
Also on the commission will be Dr Cathy Garner, executive director of The Work Foundation; Alexandra Jones, chief executive of Centre for Cities; Gerard Lyons, chief economic adviser to the mayor of London; Professor Ron Martin, University of Cambridge; Ian Mather, chair of Cambridge Ahead; and Juliette Morgan, partner at Cushman & Wakefield.
The first of four public hearings will be held on 21 January at the University of Cambridge, where evidence will be taken from local enterprise partnerships and key business networks in the region.
Findings and recommendations will be launched in June.
