Global innovation leaders gather in WestTech London as H&F Council launches blueprint for economic growth
Innovation leaders from across the globe came together today 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 the success of White City Innovation District as a model for what place-based, innovation-led, inclusive economic growth can achieve. 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.
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.
Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council and Chair of London Councils, 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 (H&F) 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.”
Rob Heasman, Chief Executive Officer of The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC), which is Strategic Partner to the Upstream London Network Economic Forum 2026, said:
“Innovation districts work when they combine physical buildings, businesses and institutions with purpose, ambition and opportunity. The model of place-based, innovation-led and inclusive growth at the heart of the Upstream London Industrial Strategy strongly reflects the way major regeneration projects need to work. No single organisation can deliver successful place-based growth alone.
This is a model which shapes our approach at Earls Court; before spades are in the ground we have generated over 2,000 jobs and a £50m+ uplift for the local economy. We are proud to support the Upstream Economic Forum as their strategic partner and to play our part in the continuing evolution of West London’s innovation economy.”
The message from the day was clear: turning ambition into action is a team sport, and the future is ours to build, together.
Tomorrow is made here.
Speakers at the event:
- Rt Hon Lord Heseltine
- Isabel Sabadi CEO of 22@Barcelona
- Bjørn Reinseth, CEO, Forskningsparken (Oslo Science Park)
- Stefano Minini, General Director Federated Innovation @MIND (Milan), 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
- and Andrew Carter, CEO, Centre for Cities
Images copyright: Upstream London and Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
