Oxford to Cambridge Partnership appoints ekosgen to develop new regional investment initiative.

May 16, 2023

Today, the Oxford to Cambridge Partnership (OCP) announced the appointment of ekosgen to develop a compelling value proposition for the Oxford to Cambridge region, in a bid to attract greater global investment into the UK.

Lord Dominic Johnson, the UK Government’s Investment Minister joined Oxford to Cambridge Partnership representatives for the announcement. This year’s UK RealEstate, Investment and Infrastructure Forum in Leeds provided the platform for delegates from across the UK and overseas to hear about the Partnership’s plans to position the Oxford-Cambridge area as a global hub of science and technology, and world leader in innovation and business.

ekosgen will work across the Partnership and with the Department for BusinessTrade to engage with the region’s stakeholders to create a digital investment atlas of projects and strategic collaborations within the Oxford to Cambridge region to match with prospective investors. This initiative will unlock private sector investment to drive the region's innovation-led economy, underpinned by environmentally sustainable and inclusive development.

In his enthusiastic address, Investment Minister, Lord Johnson emphasised the importance of partnership among government, industry and universities. He said international investors want to invest in the UK, and that’s because of our people and skills, “the intellectual capability and international capital we hold in our minds.”Reconfirming the government’s intention to create a science and technology superpower, the Minister said the desire is for the Oxford to Cambridge region to be“as successful and as strong as it can be and, that the universities’ intellectual property is developed as best as possible.”

Professor Andy Neely, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Cambridge, representing the region’s Arc Universities Group said, “Universities play a vital role inlocal economies, developing skills, ideas and technologies that drive the economyand create valuable employment opportunities for the local population.”

The Oxford to Cambridge Partnership brings together leaders from local authorities, universities, local enterprise partnerships, and England’s Economic Heartland, the group responsible for the area’s sub-national transport programme.

Speaking at the event, Peter Horrocks CBE, OCP Board Member and chair of thePartnership’s economy sub group said, “by working together, we can secure theprivate investment needed to deliver innovation-led, clean growth.

“We have huge potential across the region. Through this work and the widerPartnership’s programme, we’ll be able to tell the global story of the region’s R&D and innovation strengths to drive sustainable business and high value jobs. We can secure the benefits of an inclusive economy, one that offers communities a better quality of life, enhances our natural environment and, places the region firmly on aglobal stage”.

Naomi Green, Managing Director, England’s Economic Heartland said,“Government support for projects such as East West Rail is transforming our region’s economic landscape, unlocking unique opportunities for inward investment which the digital atlas will capture. As the sub-national transport body covering the OxfordCambridge region, England’s Economic Heartland is working with partners to ensure improvements in connectivity are unlocking further opportunities for our businesses and residents.”

Dr Andy Williams, Chair of the recently formed Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board (SCB) emphasised the importance of the region to realising theUK’s ambitions to become a truly global science superpower.

“The Supercluster is already internationally leading in several R&D areas, including life sciences, green energy and digital technologies, and a more systematic approach to mapping the opportunities for collaboration and investment will enable the Supercluster to grow and act as a lighthouse for innovation across the UK.”

ekosgen, part of GC Insight, is a specialist economic consultancy firm with a strong track record in economic development and investment promotion. ekosgen will lead a team of consultants including Avision Young, Optimised Environments (OPEN),and Glass AI.