Local Government East and Infrastructure Matters led the inaugural Opportunity East – Infrastructure & Growth Conference at Anglia Ruskin University, Peterborough on Thursday 13 March, to discuss how to unlock growth and development in the East of England.
Over 120 delegates from industry, critical infrastructure providers, local authorities and business came together to raise the importance of investment in critical infrastructure across the region to support economic growth. The conference was chaired by Andrew Pakes, Member of Parliament for Peterborough and co-chair of the East of England All Party Parliamentary Group.
Delegates also heard from infrastructure industry leaders – Kate Kenny, Europe Executive Vice President and General Manager of Jacobs and Julia Pyke, Managing Director of Sizewell C.
Kate Kenny said “The conference marked a significant milestone as we came together to envision the future of the East of England. By leveraging innovation, collaboration, and strategic partnerships, we can transform this region into a hub of high-tech infrastructure, resilient communities, and sustainable growth. The East of England is poised to lead the way in national prosperity, and the conference reinforced that together, we can achieve more than the sum of our parts.”
Speakers also included Rob Bridge, Chief Executive of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, who spoke about growth, infrastructure and the developing Local Growth Plan.
Rob Bridge said: “Opportunity East was a fantastic event, bringing together key voices from across the region to explore how we can unlock the full potential of the East of England. Collaboration between industry, government, and local leaders is essential to ensuring the right infrastructure is in place to drive sustainable growth, support innovation, and secure the region’s economic future.”
The economy of the East of England is projected to reach £220bn by 2035, yet this growth is currently at risk due to underinvestment. On average, public investment in the region is £8bn per year below the expected levels based on population size. To secure the region’s economic future, targeted investment in vital infrastructure, is essential, including developing areas of growth such as AI and supporting major infrastructure such as water and energy.
With the Planning and Infrastructure Bill introduced into Parliament on the 11th March, the Conference focused on how policy reforms can drive growth in the East of England and therefore support the government’s mission to kick-start economic growth and rebuild Britain.
High profile attendees, including MPs, businesses and local and regional political leaders examined issues and opportunities, to support the region in achieving its ambitious 2035 growth targets. Events and panels discussed how the region can lead the UK’s net-zero transition, the role of major projects in driving economic growth, the influence of planning policy on development in the region, skills gaps and fostering innovation in key regional sectors, and strategies to attract public and private investment to bridge the £8 billion annual funding gap.
The event was headline sponsored by Jacobs, with Anglian Water, Associated British Ports, Savills and Sizewell C as project sponsors.
The event was organised by Local Government East and Infrastructure Matters, in partnership with Transport East, England’s Economic Heartland, the East of England All Party Parliamentary Group, and Chambers East.