The University of West London has strengthened the research landscape across the WestTech London cluster with the launch of three major research centres focused on artificial intelligence, genomics and microbiome science, and translational healthcare innovation. The new centres represent a significant expansion of UWL’s capabilities in fast growing technology and life science fields and reinforce West London’s emergence as a leading hub for scientific research and innovation.

The Centre for AI and Natural Language Technologies will be led by Professor Julie Wall and will advance cutting edge research in artificial intelligence and natural language processing. With a strong emphasis on ethical implementation and real world applications, the centre will bring together experts from computing, psychology, criminology and industry to address complex technological challenges.

In the life sciences, the Centre for Innovation in Genomics and Microbiome Sciences will be directed by Professor Hermine Mkrtchyan, building on the internationally recognised Microbiomes, Environment, and Health Research Group. The centre will investigate large scale questions in human and environmental microbiome science and translate discoveries into new technologies, therapeutics and policy insights.

The Centre for Translational Healthcare Research, Innovation, Vision, and Excellence will be led by Professor Massoud Zolgharni with Dr Hanieh Khalili as Co Director. THRIVE will unite research teams from across UWL to accelerate medical technology innovation and develop solutions to urgent healthcare challenges. The centre aims to become a leading hub for translational healthcare within WestTech London, supporting growth, strengthening industry partnerships and enhancing UWL’s impact across the health sector.

Matthew Carpen, a proven leader in major London regeneration projects, has been appointed Chief Executive of the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) the organisation driving the capital’s largest brownfield development around the future HS2 station at Old Oak Common.

With 22 years of experience in strategic planning and infrastructure delivery, Matthew currently serves as Managing Director of Barking Riverside Limited, where he has helped shape a masterplan for up to 20,000 homes and secured more than £300m in investment. He also oversaw the creation of a new transport interchange supporting a rapidly growing community.

A Board Member of OPDC since 2022, Matthew brings strong insight into the corporation’s ambitions. His appointment follows an open recruitment process after current CEO David Lunts announced he would step down. Matthew’s arrival marks a significant step for Old Oak and Park Royal as they continue evolving into a major hub for innovation, enterprise and the wider WestTech London ecosystem.

WestTech London is celebrating an important milestone for life sciences in West London with the unveiling of the Fulham Riverside Life Sciences Precinct by Upstream London. This development brings together cutting-edge labs with world class research institutions.

Through partnerships with fellow WestTech London institutions like Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, the space offers access to lab benches, equipment and co-working facilities.

For many local residents and future talent, the development is not just about a place to work, it is about opportunity. The precinct will create new jobs, build pathways for careers in STEM, and contribute to the inclusive innovation ecosystem here in WestTech London.

Imperial College London, alongside the Mayor of London, hosted the launch of the London Growth Plan, a major new strategy to accelerate economic growth and productivity across the capital. 

The plan sets out how London can boost innovation, investment and job creation over the next decade. Leaders from across government and academia attended the launch at Imperial’s South Kensington Campus, highlighting the central role that science, technology and research will play in delivering the plan.

A core priority of the London Growth Plan is the development of a set of industrial innovation clusters, with WestTech London standing out as a flagship opportunity for West London. WestTech London is positioned to become one of the most dynamic innovation ecosystems in the country, linking deep tech research, life sciences, climate tech and advanced engineering with industry partners and entrepreneurial talent, creating a powerful engine for high quality jobs and economic growth.

The London Growth Plan aims to raise London’s productivity growth to two per cent annually and create more than 150,000 jobs by 2028. WestTech London is expected to play a central role in realising these ambitions. WestTech London will be key to shaping a more prosperous, inclusive and globally competitive future for the capital

WestTech London welcomes the launch of the next phase of Upstream London; an industrial strategy driving growth, innovation and opportunity across West London. Spearheaded by London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, the ‘Innovation Borough’, Upstream London has already helped to generate £6 billion of investment and more than 13,000 jobs, supporting the broader ambitions of WestTech London.

At the launch, hosted in the White City Innovation District, Upstream London laid out a vision supported by three core pillars: Partnerships, Places, and Pathways. These themes aim to strengthen collaboration between academia, institutions and the local community, while shaping places where innovation can flourish and create real career and skills development pathways for local people.

The Upstream London Pathway Bond gives young local residents access to work experience, apprenticeships and mentoring – embedding inclusive growth into the future of West London.

The creation of the Greenford Innovation Partnership marks a development within the broader WestTech London ecosystem, adding momentum to a region already characterised by research excellence, industrial capability and fast-growing technology sectors Adjacent to major WestTech London hubs such as Old Oak and Park Royal, Greenford is well placed to contribute to WestTech London’s wider ambition to support innovation from early-stage ideas through to commercial application. The new partnership, led by Ealing Council, brings together landowners, businesses, schools and research organisations to encourage growth in sustainable manufacturing, logistics and green technology — areas already identified as strengths within the WestTech London geography.

Greenford’s established industrial base, strong transport links and concentration of nearly 1,000 high-tech manufacturing jobs reflect many of the qualities that underpin the WestTech London narrative. The partnership aims to attract additional green and high-tech businesses while supporting existing firms to adopt more sustainable practices. These priorities echo the broader WestTech London model, where proximity to world-class universities, specialist suppliers and established industry clusters provides a platform for applied science, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies to scale.

A key focus of the Greenford initiative is strengthening pathways between local employers and education providers, supporting young people to access skills and careers in high-growth sectors. This mirrors WestTech London’s commitment to cultivating a diverse talent pipeline that can sustain the region’s expanding innovation economy. As the partnership evolves, it is expected to reinforce the polycentric nature of WestTech London – linking innovation districts across west London and contributing to the long-term development of one of the UK’s most significant innovation corridors.

Ealing Council has approved two major strategies that aim to strengthen the borough’s economy and create the conditions for long-term growth across West London. Both plans have clear links to the wider WestTech London ecosystem, which brings together universities, the NHS, industry and local government to support innovation-led businesses.

The first strategy focuses on jobs and skills, with an emphasis on sectors where West London is already gaining momentum. Creative and digital industries, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and the green and circular economy are identified as core areas for future growth. The council plans to expand pathways into these fields by working with local employers, education providers and community organisations. The ambition is to build a workforce that can fuel the next generation of start-ups and scale-ups across the WestTech network.

The second strategy looks at strengthening the evening economy, to make town centres more active and welcoming after 6pm by improving cultural venues, diversifying food and leisure options and creating safer, better connected spaces.

These policies will support WestTech London by building its talent base, and supporting the 24-hour environment that attracts entrepreneurs, researchers and investors who want to live and work in the same area.