- 24th April 2025
- Back to All News
We recently hosted the second in a series of webinars designed to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses in London to find and develop existing talent.
Over 70 people joined the online session which focused on Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), an initiative helping employers bridge skills gaps while providing jobseekers with essential training and employment opportunities.
Subheading
We recently hosted the second in a series of webinars designed to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses in London to find and develop existing talent.
Over 70 people joined the online session which focused on Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), an initiative helping employers bridge skills gaps while providing jobseekers with essential training and employment opportunities.
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The event was highly interactive. Attendees from businesses across London, public sector and education partners posed live questions to a panel of experts representing all perspectives of this collaborative approach to addressing employers’ skills needs, including:
- Roy Pearce and Lauren Rogers from L&Q, a leading housing provider, shared their perspective on using SWAPs to address skills shortages and enhance social impact in their business.
- Divine Bonsu, who joined L&Q through SWAPs, provided a first-hand account of her journey, offering valuable insights into how the programme has shaped her career.
- Adrian Gabriel-Lovell, Operations Manager, and Abigail Fernandes, Employer and Partnership Manager from Jobcentre Plus who explained how SWAPs connect jobseekers with training providers and helps employers to create direct pathways into work.
- Paul Mason Hughes, Community and Partnerships Manager at New City College, discussed how educational institutions can collaborate with employers to ensure training aligns with industry needs.
- Cathy Back, LSIP Employer Engagement at Local London, outlined how employers and training providers are addressing local skills gaps through SWAPs and other initiatives.
“It was an excellent webinar. My knowledge of SWAPs has increased, and it was great to hear the success stories of the SWAP” commented one attendee after the event.
Watch the webinar
The webinar was delivered as part of the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP), a pan-London strategy funded by the Department for Education and delivered by Business LDN in collaboration with London’s four sub-regional partnerships (SRPs): Local London, South London Partnership (SLP), Central London Forward (CLF), and West London Alliance (WLA).
The London LSIP aims to create employer-led training initiatives that address workforce development needs across the capital.
Sign up to the next event in the series
- 1-2pm
- 26 February 2025
Join South London Partnerships and South London Careers Hub to explore: How do we give young people meaningful experiences of the world of work and inspire the next generation? Book your place at the next FREE webinar in the series.
Sign up to the next event in the series
For more information on upcoming webinars and workforce development initiatives, explore our website or get in touch with lsip.locallondon@redbridge.gov.uk if you would like access to the webinar recording.
Discover our latest newsletter and Skills Special www.local.london/news/newsletter
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We are delighted to share that Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE has joined the Thames Estuary Growth Board as its newest Board member.
Representing Local London, Mayor Fiaz will ensure the interests of boroughs in the north east and south east of the capital are integral to the Thames Estuary Growth Board’s fair, sustainable ambitions for economic growth.
Mayor Fiaz OBE, Mayor of Newham was appointed by her peers to represent the nine boroughs comprising Local London, a dynamic sub-region representing around 2.6 million residents and 100,000 businesses, to consolidate relationships with the Thames Estuary, the UK’s biggest growth opportunity.
The Mayor will be joining a highly accomplished board which includes Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor of London for Planning and Regeneration, Councillor Teresa O’Neill OBE, Leader of Bexley Council and Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Chair of Local London.
The board also boasts a diverse range of private sector leaders, including Devrim Celal, CEO of KrakenFlex, Gavin Chapman, Managing Director at Barclays, and Vera Kukic, Partner in IBM’s Strategy Consulting Business. Their collective expertise ensures a robust and dynamic approach to driving growth and innovation across the Thames Estuary region.
In addition to sharing geography, the Thames Estuary Growth Board and the Local London partnership are both committed to driving inclusive economic growth and regeneration, ensuring communities benefit from investment and opportunity.
Cllr Anthony Okereke, Chair of Local London and Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “Our Local London boroughs are distinct from other parts of the capital. We have challenges, but also huge opportunities that are shared across the Thames Estuary region. We are all committed to driving sustainable and inclusive growth that benefits all of our communities, and I am delighted that Mayor Fiaz will represent our boroughs and continue our close connection with the Thames Estuary Growth Board.”
Kate Willard OBE, Thames Estuary Envoy and Chair of the Growth Board, said: “Mayor Fiaz’s commitment to fair growth and social impact aligns perfectly with our vision for the Thames Estuary. She is a proven leader who understands how to turn bold ideas into tangible benefits for local communities. We are thrilled to have her on board as we continue driving investment, infrastructure, and opportunity across the region.”
Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Mayor of Newham and representative of Local London, said: “The Thames Estuary, including the dynamic boroughs to the east of London, is central to the future prosperity of the whole country as we support the government’s national growth mission to drive better living standards through investment to build more homes and create jobs. I’m excited to be joining the Growth Board at such a crucial time and look forward to getting stuck in as we unlock the wealth of opportunities for communities across the Thames Estuary and accelerate sustainable development and fair growth.”
Mayor Fiaz’s appointment further strengthens the Growth Board’s partnership with London’s local authorities, ensuring that the voice of communities remains at the heart of its work to attract investment, drive innovation, and support fair growth.
Discover our Three Year Plan: Towards 2026
Notes to Editors:
About the Thames Estuary Growth Board
The Thames Estuary Growth Board is dedicated to unlocking the economic potential of the Thames Estuary. By fostering collaboration, driving investment, and spearheading innovative development projects, the Board is committed to transforming the Estuary into a thriving, sustainable, and economically vibrant region.
The Growth Board works to engage national and international investors, showcasing the Estuary’s potential as a prime location for investment. Through targeted initiatives, the board will highlight key development sites, foster investor relations, and drive forward the region’s economic prospects.
The Growth Board remains steadfast in its commitment to driving growth that is not only economically beneficial but also equitable and environmentally sustainable. Through these strategic initiatives and the dedicated support of our stakeholders, we are setting the stage for a brighter, more prosperous future for the Thames Estuary.
Find out more: www.thamesestuary.org.uk
Media Contact: Hannah Staunton, Director of Communications at the Thames Estuary Growth Board. Email: press@thamesestuary.org.uk
About Local London
Local London is a sub-regional partnership of nine boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, Enfield, Greenwich, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
Representing around 2.6 million residents and 100,000 businesses, we are a champion for this sub-region to ensure it responds to a set of mutual issues and challenges, and benefits from existing and emerging opportunities.
Find out more: www.local.london
Local London Media contact: helen.mckay@redbridge.gov.uk / 07796 837 411
About Mayor Fiaz
Rokhsana Fiaz OBE has served as Executive Mayor of Newham since May 2018, delivering her Building a Fairer Newham plan.
She is portfolio lead for Inclusive Economy, Strategic Housing Delivery and Culture, including community wealth building, place and economic regeneration, planning and development; and leads on the ambitious affordable social housing programme.
She is London Council’s Data and Innovation lead, co-chair of the Royal Docks Enterprise Zone and chair of the Local London Growth and Recovery Board. Previously she was CEO of an international UNESCO supported charity and has led large-scale capital projects for councils, European Commission and Council of Europe. In 2009 she was awarded the Order of the British Empire for services to Black and Minority Communities.
Local London is delighted to announce the appointment of Forogh Rahmani as the new Director of Local London.
Previously Strategy and Policy Lead for employment and skills at the GLA, and most recently Director of Growth at the Hertfordshire Growth Board, Forogh has a wealth of relevant experience that will benefit Local London.
Welcoming Forogh, Cllr Okereke, Chair of Local London and Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said “I am delighted to welcome Forogh as the new Director of Local London. Forogh not only brings with her great experience, but also enormous passion for driving growth that makes her the ideal person to head up our dynamic sub-region’s partnership. As Chair of Local London, I would like to welcome her to London’s leading edge!”
Building the profile of Local London
As Director of Local London, Forogh is motivated to continue to build the profile of Local London, working closely with our Board and partners to identify key areas for collaboration and advocacy.
Forogh Rahmani, Director of Local London said “I am excited to be joining Local London. As a London resident, I know that north east and south east London boroughs face challenges that cannot be lost in assumptions about being part of the capital. This is a sub-region full of potential and opportunities, and I am looking forward to advocating on behalf of our boroughs to catalyse growth that benefits all people living, studying and working here.”
Local London thank Stephen O’Leary for managing the team in the interim period, establishing new programmes and additional funding to support local residents, and ensuring a smooth handover to Forogh.
⇒Follow Forogh on Linkedin
⇒Discover our ambitions in our Three Year Plan: Towards 2026
⇒Watch our video about who we are and what we do
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where collaboration and innovation drive success? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!
What we are looking for
As an Integration Officer, you will be instrumental in fostering collaboration between employment and skills providers, local authorities, Integrated Care Boards and community organisations. Your work will focus on strengthening networks, identifying areas for improvement, and creating strategies that support residents in securing sustainable employment.
About the Role
As an Integration Officer, you will:
- Support the delivery of a pioneering Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Employment Programme alongside broader employment and skills provision across Local London boroughs.
- Engage with stakeholders and foster collaboration between employment and skills providers, local authorities, Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), NHS services, and community organisations.
- Strengthen networks, identify areas for improvement, and create strategies that help residents secure sustainable employment.
- Work closely with stakeholders to establish effective referral pathways, assess training needs, and enhance frontline staff development opportunities.
- Identify gaps in employment provision across the sub-region and develop strategies to address them.
Qualifications and Skills
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Strong project management skills, with a track record of delivering complex projects successfully.
- Experience or knowledge of delivering the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model or supported employment approaches.
- Experience of working in partnership with the NHS, local health services, or ICBs.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and partnership building abilities.
- A good understanding of employment and skills networks.
- Meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
About us
Local London is a sub-regional partnership representing nine London boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, Enfield, Havering, Greenwich, Newham, Redbridge, and Waltham Forest.
⇒Discover more about our programmes.
Redbridge Council serves as the accountable body for Local London, and staff are employed under Redbridge Council terms and conditions.
Why join us?
- Work on impactful programmes that transform lives.
- Engage with a diverse network of stakeholders and communities.
- Be part of a forward-thinking team committed to innovation and success.
About the role
Redbridge Council serves as the accountable body for Local London, and staff are employed on Redbridge Council terms and conditions.
- Job reference: RQ002057
- Location: Lynton House, Ilford / hybrid
- Salary: £47,532 to £50,574 per annum
- Contractual hours: 36
- Basis: Full time.
- Closing date (extended): 21.04.2025
⇒ To apply for this role, please visit new opportunities at Redbridge Council www.redbridge.gov.uk/jobs/job-search
Ambitious for Redbridge
All short-listed applicants will need to demonstrate proof of right to work in the UK. At the London Borough of Redbridge, we receive a high volume of great-quality applicants, we therefore may close a vacancy earlier than advertised. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
We are committed to employment practices that promote diversity and inclusion in employment and welcome applications from qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sex, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, colour, race, religion, or belief.
Cllr Anthony Okereke, Chair of Local London shares his ambitions for 2025.
I hope that you have had a fun-filled festive season with your loved ones and are optimistic about what the new year will bring.
2025 promises huge opportunities for our sub-region, despite the immense pressures local governments face.
Across our nine boroughs, we are looking forward to continuing to drive inclusive and sustainable growth. Working in partnership, we will advocate for our exciting sub-region to ensure growth benefits all people and businesses here.
At the dawn of this new year, these are eight of the things I am most excited about:
- Working with our new government as well as the Leaders, Mayor and CEOs of our member boroughs to ensure that the needs of our sub-region are not lost in assumptions about being part of the capital.
- Continuing to seek opportunities to collaborate across borough-boundaries and ensuring the funding we attract delivers benefits that meet the unique needs of our dynamic sub-region.
- Working towards achieving the ambitions in our Three-Year Plan: Towards 2026, whilst also being attentive to areas where we may need to flex to meet changing needs and priorities.
- Ensuring young people get the best careers education and interactions with businesses to raise and broaden their aspirations and make great choices on their chosen pathways.
- Connecting people at all stages of their careers to training and jobs, so they can learn and progress and helping businesses find workers with the skills they need to grow through employment support initiatives managed and delivered with and for our boroughs.
- Addressing barriers to growth in our sub-region, including digital and transport infrastructure.
- Welcoming new initiatives that will support inclusive growth across our boroughs and wider such as Connect to Work, the Growth Plan for London, the Industrial Strategy.
- Onboarding the new permanent Director of Local London in the coming months; our Joint Committee and Chief Executive Board, and team are looking forward to working with them.
Pulling together, we will achieve more for all the people living and working in this part of London. This is London’s Leading Edge!
Wishing you all the very best for 2025, let’s make this the best year yet.
Councillor Anthony Okereke, Chair of Local London and Leader of London Borough of Greenwich.
Today we published our 2023-24 Annual Report marking the progress we have made against our Three Year Plan: Towards 2026.
Cllr A.Okereke Chair of Local London and Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, described 2023-2024 as a hugely positive year for Local London, and thanked Local London’s former Chairman Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE for her leadership and contribution to our partnership’s successes.
Cllr A.Okereke said “The year’s activities have been defined by continuous improvements in programmes’ performance and ever stronger joint working across Local London and with partners, most notably with the GLA and London Councils. This collaborative approach, our evidence base and track record have underpinned important funding and policy changes. This includes government decisions to devolve delivery of the new Universal Support Programme to Local London and other sub-regional partnerships in London, as well as extending fast broadband vouchers to urban areas.
“We published our Three-year plan: Towards 2026 this year; this current annual report reflects on how this partnership is delivering positive impact for our member boroughs across the three pillars of people, place and sustainability as set out in our annual action plan.”
=>Discover our 2023-24 Annual Report
=>Read our Three-year plan: Towards 2026
Some of our key highlights from 2023-24*
- Publication of the first employer-led Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) to help close skills gaps in priority sectors in our sub-region.
- Roll out of new Work and Health Programme Pioneer to support more people far from the job market into good work.
- Supporting over 17,000 residents through the DWP Work and Health Programme and moving 74% of the total number of inactive people who joined the programme either into work or closer to the job market.
- Persuading government to devolve Universal Support to sub-regional partnerships in London, as well as opening up BDUK’s Project Gigabit to urban areas.
- Showcasing pathways into green, digital and creative careers to over 2,000 secondary school students from across our boroughs at our Sustainability Careers Fest and Creative and Digital Careers Exhibition.
- Creating the first digital strategy for our sub-region, outlining the case for investment and providing a blueprint for our member boroughs to attract it.
- Supporting over 2,000 businesses to increase revenue by £19m through our free digital support programme, and due to its success achieving expansion to all of our boroughs and beyond.
- Delivering an integrated approach to employment through our Integration Hub, and exceeding the audience reach targets five-fold.
- Developing a series of narratives which form part of a prospectus for our sub-region to help shift the policy agenda at national and regional levels, namely:
- Our Transport Policy Position.
- Our Digital Strategy.
- Our Local Skills Improvement Plan for the sub-region.
- Our Asks for Funding for Local Growth, and
- Our Vision for our Employment and Skills Board.
*Figures reflect progress up to end of the 2023-24 financial year.
Local London is delighted to welcome our boroughs’ new Leaders to our powerful Joint Committee.
Cllr Erbil becomes the new Leader of Enfield Council
Cllr Ergin Erbil was elected as the new Leader of Enfield Council at the Full Council meeting on 18 September 2024.
Cllr Erbil was elected Labour councillor for Edmonton Green in 2018 and has been serving as the Council’s Deputy Leader since 2022. He has been the borough’s Interim Leader since July 2024 when Nesil Caliskan became the Labour MP for Barking, at the general election.
Read about Cllr Erbil’s priorities and Cabinet.
Cllr Twomey becomes the new Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council
In Barking and Dagenham, Cllr Dominic Twomey was elected as the new Leader of the Council at their full Assembly meeting also on 18 September.
Cllr Twomey has served the borough as a councillor since 2010, and has been Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Growth and Core Services for the last 10 years.
He takes over from Cllr Darren Rodwell who was Leader of the Council and former Chair of Local London. Cllr Rodwell championed the needs of the sub-region and under his leadership, Local London expanded its portfolio of programmes, offering greater benefit to all its member boroughs.
Read about Cllr Twomey’s appointment.
Cllr Rai, Leader of Redbridge Council
Following over a decade serving the borough as a councillor and six years as Deputy Leader, Cllr Kam Rai was elected as the new Leader of Redbridge Council at the full council meeting on 25 July 2024.
Cllr Rai succeeds Cllr Athwal, who led the council for over a decade before stepping down following his election as the Member of Parliament for Ilford South.
Our Joint Committee members
Local London’s strategic direction is set by the elected Leaders of our member authorities, they sit on our Joint Committee, led by a Chair who holds the position for a two-year term.
The Council Leaders and Mayor on our Joint Committee are:
- Leader of RB Greenwich – Cllr Anthony Okereke (Chair)
- Leader of LB Bexley – Cllr Baroness Teresa O’Neill OBE (Deputy Chairman)
- Leader of LB Barking & Dagenham – Cllr Dominic Twomey
- Leader of LB Bromley – Cllr Colin Smith
- Leader of LB Enfield – Cllr Ergin Erbil
- Leader of LB Havering – Cllr Ray Morgon
- Mayor of LB Newham – Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE
- Leader of LB Redbridge – Cllr Kam Rai
- Leader of LB Waltham Forest – Cllr Grace Williams
Discover more about Local London’s governance
Cllr Anthony Okereke, Chair of Local London, thanks Sarah Murray on behalf of Local London for her transformational work as Director of the sub-regional partnership.
Cllr Anthony Okereke said “On behalf of Local London, all our member boroughs, the team who work directly with Sarah and our expansive network of partners, I would like to express our thanks to Sarah.
“Under Sarah’s directorship our partnership has grown and strengthened, significantly we have welcomed the London Borough of Bromley to our partnership. Working together, our nine voices will make the unique needs of our sub-region heard.
“This is already being evidenced, as noted in our Annual Report 2023-24.
“Our relationships with decision makers and funders in government at all levels have been solidified, backed up by a track record for delivering impactful work with the funding awarded.”
Sarah has been Director for Local London since 2021 and will be moving onto a new exciting role as CEO of the Forth Freeport, near Edinburgh.
Stephen O’Leary, Head of Programmes, will take on the interim Director role from 27 August 2024.
Local London is recruiting for a director to provide strategic direction to the team supporting the ambitions of our nine borough partnership, namely delivering growth and improving outcomes for residents.
Closing Date: 6th September 2024
Salary: up to £110,000/year
Find out more about the role: Director of Local London – Starfish Search
Discover our Three Year Plan: Towards 2026 setting out our ambitious vision for the future of our sub-region.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Cllr Anthony Okereke – Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich as Chair of Local London.
Cllr Anthony Okereke was unanimously voted in at the AGM in June.
Rotating the position every two years, Cllr Okereke succeeds Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, after an outstanding tenure that notably saw the partnership grow to nine members.
Cllr Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, has stepped into the Deputy Leadership role, supporting Cllr Okereke.
Cllr Anthony Okereke, Leader of RB of Greenwich and Chair of Local London said “I would like to thank Cllr Baroness O’Neill for her brilliant leadership and I look forward to working with all the members of Local London to continue to build on this partnership’s successes.
In addition to delivering programmes that are enhancing employment, skills and careers awareness across our sub-region to help people achieve financial independence and reach their potential we are looking holistically at unlocking growth in this part of London.
It’s through growth that we tackle poverty that we see in our sub-region.
Our diverse and dynamic sub-region has many challenges and opportunities that we can address collectively. These include devolution of funding for local growth, investment into digital and transport infrastructure and realising our vision for skills and employment. These are opportunities that we will drive forward together to the benefit of people and businesses in our brilliant boroughs.”
Sarah Murray, Director of Local London, added “Representing London’s leading edge, Local London is growing stronger as a partnership and delivering more for our boroughs and the people living here. With the invaluable backing of our boroughs’ Leaders and Mayors, we are building on our achievements year on year.
On behalf of the team, I would like to extend our thanks to Cllr Baroness O’Neill for her support over the past two years, and warmly welcome Cllr Okereke as Local London’s new Chair.”
Related content
Discover our Three Year Plan ‘Towards 2026’
Local London is requesting invitations to quote to develop our website and provide ongoing support.
With platforms changing fast, the time has come to update our website.
We actively welcome firms located in our 9 boroughs and reflecting our diverse sub-region to bid.
Further information on the ‘Contract for Local London website development and maintenance’ (reference DN733172) can be found on https://procontract.due-north.com
To ensure fairness, responses and questions can only be accepted via the portal.
Quotations must be uploaded by 18:00 on 06 August 2024 (‘the Submission Date’). Any quotations submitted after this time will not be accepted.
Suppliers not already registered can do so for free here: https://procontract.due-north.com/register
We actively welcome firms located in our 9 boroughs and reflecting our diverse sub-region to bid.
Quick guide to finding the opportunity on Proactis
Register for free on procontract.due-north.com/register
Once application has been approved. Verify your account and login.
Top right search for 733172
Use the green button to register interest in this opportunity. (Tip the pop up has a link to view the opportunity)
This will bring you to the Activity Summary page.
On the Activity Summary page you will find the Activity documentation, files and links: Invitation to Quote.
The Invitation to Quote (docx) contains the specification and the questions you must answer to be considered. Please complete this, check and submit via the portal.
The T&Cs and clarification questions and answers are also available on the Activity summary page.
Clarification questions and completed responses can only be accepted via the portal.
About Local London
We are a sub-regional partnership of nine London Boroughs: Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, Enfield, Greenwich, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest.
We deliver programmes that benefit people and businesses across our sub-region, and advocate on behalf of our member boroughs.