- 20th May 2025
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ITS and Local London convene leaders to support inclusive growth and strengthen the case for digital investment across London’s fastest-growing boroughs.
A clear message is taking shape among public and private sector leaders: to unlock Local London’s digital potential, we need stronger collaboration, clearer national policy, and a louder, united voice to put the sub-region’s priorities on the map.
That was a standout takeaway from a recent cross-sector conversation hosted jointly by ITS — operator of the UK’s largest dedicated business-grade full fibre network – and local authority group, Local London. The session brought together senior voices from local government, industry, and regional organisations to explore how digital infrastructure can drive economic growth, improve public services, and deliver inclusive opportunity across Local London.
Local London — a sub-regional partnership of nine boroughs — is home to 2.6 million residents and 100,000 businesses, making it larger than the cities of Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool combined. It is also London’s fastest-growing area, yet investment in digital infrastructure has not kept pace. More than 114,000 homes and businesses across the boroughs still lack access to gigabit-capable connectivity.
Above all, attendees stressed the need for a unified narrative. While many boroughs are leading valuable local initiatives, leaders agreed that a more compelling, collective story must be told — one that links digital infrastructure directly to wider outcomes in education, skills, mobility, housing, and innovation.
This shared voice, they argued, is essential to unlocking national recognition and securing the long-term investment needed to drive fair, sustainable growth.
The conversation built on the ambitions set out in the Fair Economic Growth through Digital Connectivity paper from Thames Estuary Growth Board, which positions the region as the UK’s next AI and digital powerhouse. Sharing geography and ambitions with the Thames Estuary, participants supported the report’s call for bold public-private collaboration to accelerate progress across the region.
Local London is seeking investment across its boroughs to:
- provide ubiquitous gigabit capable broadband services to all residents and businesses in the sub-region by in-filling existing gaps in service availability.
- deliver dark fibre and high-speed business connectivity services to growth areas, business parks and data centres to drive economic growth and regeneration.
⇒Read our Delivering Economic Growth in Local London: Digital Connectivity Requirements paper.
“There is real opportunity across this part of London and the wider Estuary corridor,” said Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS. “The boroughs that make up Local London have the scale, the ambition, and the economic weight to help lead the UK’s digital future — but this can only be realised if we get the right infrastructure in place. We were pleased to support a conversation focused on moving forward, together.”
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Chair of Local London’s Growth Board that leads on digital and Mayor of Newham, reinforced this direction:
“Digital inclusion is vital for people in our boroughs. Yet across Local London there are over 100,000 premises with no or only the lowest level of digital connectivity and this is curtailing opportunities for people and businesses.
That’s why we are committed to working with private and public sector partners to close this digital divide. It is only through wide collaboration and appropriate investment that we will bring high-speed connectivity to east London, and out into the Thames Estuary. This is fundamental for digital inclusion and our joint vision to lead the UK’s AI and digital future.”
ITS remains committed to supporting Local London’s ambitions — by convening conversation, sharing delivery insight, and contributing to the infrastructure required to build a more connected, resilient, and inclusive future.
Find out more
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Chair of Local London’s Growth Board that leads on digital is the Mayor of Newham and also Data and Innovation lead for London Councils. She will be one of our Leaders speaking at UKREiiF – the UK’s leading real estate infrastructure and investment forum – in Leeds 20-22 May 2025.
Discover more about our digital infrastructure asks.
- 20th May 2025
- Back to All News
Redbridge Pupils Shine at Social Enterprise Dragons’ Den Event
Our Careers Hub team partnered with Social Enterprise Academy and Redbridge Connexions Team to deliver Social Enterprise Schools for a second year in Redbridge.
On the 15th of May, seven schools across Redbridge and a group of young people who are currently under home tuition pitched their impressive social enterprise ideas to an expert panel at the Social Enterprise Schools: Dragons’ Den competition at Cineworld Ilford.
The panel of ‘dragons’ included Forogh Rahmani (Director of Local London), Lawrence Gosling (Head of PR, Comms and Content at Artemis), and Junaed Mortuza (HCM Solutions Architect at SAP).
The Dragons’ Den event provides an opportunity for pupils to gain professional advice on their social enterprise business ideas. The young entrepreneurs honed their public speaking skills and our dragons gained valuable insights into the issues that matter most to the next generation.
Social enterprise ideas pitched on the day included an initiative that aims to tackle voter apathy amongst young people; resin coasters made by young people with SEND to build on their physical development, social and communication skills; a social enterprise that runs sporting sessions to reduce screen time amongst young people; and, an inclusive online learning environment for young people that may not be able to attend mainstream or SEND provision.
Taking home £100, the overall winners of the Dragons’ Den were Armoress – Safety In Every Pocket from Seven Kings School, whose social enterprise empowers women, students and night-shift workers with a jacked designed to protect. However, the dragons were blown away by the pitches and recognised all social enterprise groups with an award.
Pupils are running their social enterprises as part of the Social Enterprise Schools programme, delivered by the Social Enterprise Academy, which empowers young people to affect social change in their communities, while developing key core employability and entrepreneurial skills for the future.
Forogh Rahmani, Director of Local London said: “Today was a huge amount of fun. I am blown away by all brilliant ideas and presentations we were treated to today. As Dragons, the students made our decisions really difficult as they all showed great potential as social entrepreneurs. I am delighted that at Redbridge Connexions Team, Social Enterprise Academy, and the team at Local London Careers Hub put on this innovative event for a second year because it’s really important that young people get opportunities to explore their different talents and how they might shape their future career choices.”
Fiona Barrett, Redbridge Connexions Manager, London Borough of Redbridge said: “What an amazing event. Incredible to see the huge amount of talent we have in the young people of Redbridge. Such innovative ideas and pitches presented in such a professional way by the young people. Also, delighted with the inclusivity of the event seeing young people from our Special school and those unable to access mainstream education present alongside our mainstream schools.
It has been a pleasure to collaborate with Local London Careers Hub and the Social Enterprise Academy to deliver this wonderful project with the young people of Redbridge. A huge thank you too to the schools and young people who took part who are a credit to our borough.”
Maya Wenzel, Delivery Lead (England) at the Social Enterprise Academy said: “One of my favourite parts of my job is being able to see the next generation of social entrepreneurs in action! I was blown away by the calibre of the initiatives presented at the Redbridge Dragons’ Dens – they all shared creative and thoughtful responses to local social and environmental issues and have a great future ahead of them.”
Schools who presented at the Social Enterprise Schools: Dragons’ Den competition:
- Oaks Park School
- Little Heath School
- Ark Isaac Newton Academy
- Ilford County High School
- Seven Kings School
- Ursuline Academy Ilford
- Caterham High School
- Home Tuition at the Redbridge Medical and Inclusion Service
For more information on how to get involved in the Social Enterprise Schools programme, please visit: socialenterprise.academy
Find out more
Find out more about our Careers Hub.
The Local London Work and Health Programme offers tailored, community-based employment, health and wellbeing support across East and South East London.
It supports disabled people, those with a health condition, the long-term unemployed, and other disadvantaged groups to develop their skills and enter work.
Senior Contract Manager, Work and Health Programme
Fixed Term contract 3 months
Senior Contract Manager JD and person spec temporary contract
We require a temporary Senior Contract Manager for the Work and Health Programme to ensure continuity of management for the programme whilst we recruit to a permanent position. The temporary contract is for a duration of three months from 13th July 2020.
Senior Contract Manager, Work and Health Programme
Permanent
Senior Contract Manager JD and person spec permanent role
We are also recruiting for a permanent Senior Contract Manager for the Work and Health Programme.
It is an exciting time to join the Local London sub-regional partnership, as we take a key role in the economic recovery of our partner boroughs, whilst maintaining our focus on inclusive growth across our sub-region.
The Senior Contract Manager will be responsible for the operational management and successful delivery of this high-profile programme. S/he will be central to its success, leading on its development and expansion, responsible for effective performance management (involving a circa £38m contract with the provider); relationships with the nine boroughs involved in the programme) and with primary responsibility for its ongoing successful operation. S/he will be responsible for internal reporting to Local London boards, and will be the operational Work and Health Programme (WHP) link with the DWP and GLA, and will be responsible for all the WHP business, ensuring accurate and timely submission of funding claims and progress reporting.
The role requires extensive senior management experience and a successful track record in programme management and delivery of large scale high value, sub-regional employment and skills programmes for unemployed and hard to reach groups.
We also require extensive senior management experience, knowledge and understanding of contract and budget management of similar programmes to the Work and Health Programme, including experience of managing contracts funded through the European Social Fund, as well as experience of partnership working and experience of staff management.
Redbridge Council is the accountable body for Local London, and all Local London staff are employed by Redbridge Council under their terms and conditions of employment.
If you are interested in applying for these roles, email your CV and covering letter to sheila.weeden@redbridge.gov.uk by Sunday 5th July for the temporary position, and apply on line by 12th July for the permanent position.
- Interviews for the temporary role will be held via Microsoft Teams on 8th July.
- Interviews for the permanent position will be held in late July, date to be confirmed.
Kate Willard will be the driving force behind ambitious plans to transform the Thames Estuary – the UK’s next major growth area – following her appointment as its first Envoy.
Kate, who has a successful track record delivering complex regeneration and infrastructure projects in the UK and Europe, will lead a vision to generate billions of pounds of investment, create thousands of new jobs, improve transport and digital infrastructure, and deliver substantial housing in the Estuary.
In addition to becoming the region’s national and international champion, Kate, who is Director of Partnerships at Stobart Group, will chair the Thames Estuary Growth Board, a multi-agency partnership, responsible for delivering a programme that will breathe new life into the area.
Kate said: “This role is an extraordinary opportunity and I’m honoured and proud to have been selected. The Thames is one of the world’s most iconic rivers flowing through an internationally important city with fabulous towns and landscape on either side of it. It’s clear that the Estuary has enormous growth potential and this new Board will work with colleagues across the Estuary to ensure that there is consensus on strategic growth opportunities, that we deliver on these opportunities and that we ensure growth has a positive impact not just on the economy but across all communities in the Estuary.
“I’m certain my background delivering complicated, multi-agency infrastructure projects, the networks and relationships I’ve built in Government and across sectors, and my genuine desire and passion to deliver something amazing, will mean we can move forward at pace to realise the ambitions of everyone involved – and report on these clearly to our stakeholders.”
Kate’s immediate priorities will be to appoint members to the Growth Board, so it can begin working with local businesses, residents, councils and other key partners to develop its programme of work. The Board will receive £1 million in Government funding to support its work programme.
Kate is going to ensure that the Growth Board is clear, accessible and communicative about its intentions, role and plans, doesn’t duplicate work already happening or planned, and adds real value. Most of all, she is adamant it will think creatively to find solutions to some of the long-standing Estuary challenges.
Kate added: “This means approaching some issues in a different way. People often refer to the Thames as a barrier to growth; but can we think positively about its potential? We need to help improve air quality, so what role can this major artery play in supporting freight and logistics operations to lift truck movements off our already congested roads. A solution easy to conceptualise but one which will require innovation and collaboration between a number of operators and sectors to deliver.
“There may be some difficult conversations along the way – consensus isn’t always easy – and so building a close and robust set of partnerships and relationships across the Estuary will be key. I am going to work super hard to bring everyone with us because not all our wins will be quick. We will need to be absolutely clear about the end game and keep that in our heads. It will be my job to keep that end game in sight, keep us all standing shoulder to shoulder, and ensure we have a clear route to delivery.
“A key focus for the programme will be inclusive growth. It’s important that in considering what we do and how we do it, we make sure that no one is left behind. That will mean looking at complex issues like the education and skills agendas and, working with partners, making sure that they deliver on the needs of businesses and our communities.
“We expect to be held to account and to hold to account where promises have been made and expectations have been raised.”
The Thames Estuary has been hailed alongside the Northern Powerhouse and Midlands Engine as the UK’s next major growth opportunity. Kate said: “We can learn from both of those and from other brilliant regeneration schemes across the world. Wherever we see amazing things happening or brilliant ideas, we’ll be happy to look at them. However, the Thames Estuary is a very unique place with specific challenges and extraordinary opportunities, so we will need to look at bespoke solutions to respond to these.”
Born in Hertfordshire, and now based in part in Cumbria, Kate has had a colourful career with roles across Europe.
She went to drama college in Bexley, and is a trained actress and director. She is passionate about the arts and an expert on the role of creative industries as a catalyst for growth. She has lived and worked in Hungary, France and Belgium working as an independent regeneration expert with the European Commission on major transnational projects in employment, social cohesion and regional development.
Kate was CEO of the UK’s first rural regeneration company, Rural Regeneration Cumbria, and during that period was headhunted by Stobart Group where she has now been for 12 years.
During her time with Stobart Group, Kate has had a number of roles and was recently responsible for re-launching commercial services from Carlisle Lake District Airport for the first time in over 25 years. Kate will remain working with Stobart, albeit in a reduced capacity in light of her work with the Estuary Growth Board, including close working across national government departments, local authorities and other partnerships.
In addition, Kate has a number of non-executive roles, including Chair of Arts Council North and also sits on the Arts Council’s National Council.
Interview Opportunity
Kate Willard is available for interview. Please call Paul Morris on 07888852492 to set-up.
Notes to Editors
Further information:
- The Estuary Envoy will chair the Thames Estuary Growth Board and will be crucial to its success. Thurrock Council is accountable for the appointment of the Envoy.
- To find out more about the Government’s ambitious vision and delivery plans for the Thames Estuary read our response (25 March 2019) to the Thames Estuary Growth Commission report here
- You can read the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission report here
Local London’s Work and Health Programme is celebrating supporting its 1,000th resident into employment.
Sakariya Kisow from Redbridge has started a new career as a stock controller after three years out of work.
Sakariya, who experiences back pain and fatigue, could not return to his previous career installing alarm systems. Our team supported him to build his confidence, develop his skills and explore new sectors and roles.
After considering roles in security and retail, staff suggested he apply for a stock controller role as a post became available with the flexibility he required. Sakariya was successfully supported through the recruitment process and began work in August.
In his new role, Sakariya can adapt his hours around his health condition with support from his employer. He travels across the country working with a range of clients. He’s delighted with his new job and excited about the future.
The Work and Health Programme, which operates across nine boroughs in East and South East London, supports disabled people, those with a health condition, the long-term unemployed, and other disadvantaged groups to develop their skills and enter and progress in work.
It uses an innovative delivery model embedding health care professionals as key workers on the front line. Delivered by MAXIMUS and local delivery partners, it is co-financed by the European Social Fund and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Emma Warren, Contract Director for Local London Work and Health Programme, said: ‘Sakariya’s story shows how the programme is transforming the lives of Local London residents. We understand that good health, including good mental health, is vital to finding and progressing in work.
“Our key workers include mental health professionals and physiotherapists, who can offer expert support to help participants overcome barriers to employment and thrive in the workplace”.
London Enterprise Adviser Network EAST has hosted a celebration and networking event to thank its army of enterprise advisers.
The network connects businesses with schools, colleges and pupil referral units (PRU) so young people can build specific skills and have work experiences to inform their career path.
The event at Stratford Circus was attended by more than 70 Enterprise Advisers, who provide support to schools and colleges in the eight Local London boroughs and Bromley.
These advisers work alongside our team of specialist enterprise co-ordinators to help secondary schools, colleges and PRUs improve their careers provision and link it more closely to the world of work.
Julian Ellerby, the Director of Local London, opened the event. Other presenters from Sanders School in Havering, and Burnside PRU in Waltham Forest included school staff, Enterprise Advisers and a young person, who gave an inspiring speech and was offered two jobs by employers during the evening.
The London Enterprise Adviser Network EAST is a joint project managed by Local London and East London Business Alliance on behalf of the GLA.
Careers leaders from across the Local London sub-region are getting up to speed with Ofsted’s new inspection framework.
Local London runs the London Enterprise Adviser Network (LEAN) East programme on behalf of the Mayor of London.
Part of that role includes keeping careers leaders in schools, colleges and pupil referral units updated on changes to how the government expects careers development to be taught and measured.
The new framework features a stronger emphasis on developing employability skills.
Several workshops have now taken place across the Local London area.
Local London wants to create a new service to help businesses across the sub region reduce their carbon footprints.
Local London’s team is working with colleagues from our eight member boroughs on a funding bid for European monies.
If successful, the cash would fund a programme of advice and support for businesses to develop eco-friendly strategies and reduce carbon.
Julian Ellerby, Director of Local London said:
“This is an issue that matters to everyone and we have been really impressed by the willingness of all member boroughs to commit to a shared scheme that will provide a really positive and useful service to a wide range of businesses.
“We look forward to hearing shortly if we are through to the next phase.”
Across the sub region, councils are signing up to climate change emergency motions and proposing radical action plans.
Kate Willard has been appointed as the first Thames Estuary Envoy and Chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board.
Kate, who is currently director of partnership development with Stobart Group, will lead on plans to encourage growth in the estuary.
Ms Willard, said: “The Thames Estuary Growth Board has the opportunity to provide a clear and coherent voice to drive sustainable growth across this dynamic region.
“We will work to ensure we are listening to the communities, private and public sector partners who make up this great place and deliver cohesive leadership that helps shape an even more brilliant and shining place with international resonance.”
The announcement follows the Government’s response to the Thames Estuary 2050 Growth Commission report in 2019, which saw Government back ambitious plans to create 1.3 million jobs and generate an extra £190 billion for the local economy.