10 July 2025
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Home » News » Highlights from UKREiiF 2025
Panellists agreed that Essex’s infrastructure, Freeports, and sector strengths make it a prime spot for investment.
Devolution is seen as a chance to align business and public priorities, improve planning across the county, and accelerate growth, placing Greater Essex firmly among the UK’s top regions for regeneration and renewal as it becomes the UK’s fourth largest economic region.
In the first tranche of devolution, Greater Essex has spotted an opportunity and is taking action… the UK looks like a sensible place to invest in right now and Essex is in the top five places.”
– Dr Victoria Hills, Chief Executive, Royal Town Planning Institute
Panellists highlighted Harlow’s rapid growth and its role as a leading science and tech hub within the UK’s Innovation Corridor.
They emphasised the need for public-private collaboration, government-led stewardship, and investment beyond just housing to ensure thriving, lasting communities.
“Harlow is due to grow twice as fast as Manchester —a 50% growth rate in 10 years… so we must deliver but also ensure the people living there feel the benefits. The priority is inclusive growth.”
– Cllr Dan Swords, Leader, Harlow Council and Chair of the Harlow & Gilston Garden Town Joint Committee
Greater Essex is home to the UK’s largest Garden Communities programme.
Panellists called for stronger planning capacity, long-term infrastructure funding, and a skilled workforce to deliver quality homes at pace.
“On paper, garden communities are like a very simple blank sheet of paper, but it is complex with infrastructure quality, longevity and legacy all needed. But I’d get the tensions balanced – a fortuitous outcome.”
– Jenny Rydon, Partner, Head of Strategic Advisory, Montagu Evans LLP
Panellists saw devolution as a chance to rethink local leadership and deliver real change.
Tom Walker, Executive Director for Economy, Investment and Public Health, Essex County Council called for its new mayor-led authority to take a convening role and deliver something ‘new with a bit of life’ not recreate the past.
The importance of cultural and community spaces in creating desirable living environments was also discussed.
“In terms of foreign investment: Devolution with integration brings a more integrated vision, more spatial planning, more cohesive commercial offer, and therefore it makes an easier sell, unlocks more asset value, but it is also difficult to deny that such a massive transformative journey will present challenges in the short term.”
– John Edwards, Director, Office for Investment, The Department for Business and Trade
“We are here to launch the newly created Greater Essex Business Board. We have worked incredibly hard to deliver the business voice for Greater Essex. Our role is to bring commercial acumen to a very vibrant economic growth strategy for the county. Our key points are inward investment skills supporting SMEs and getting the right infrastructure to drive growth in Essex.”
– Julia Gregory, Chairperson of Greater Essex Business Board (GEBB)
