Growth, Skills and Innovation: Building prosperity in East London
On 18 March 2026, Queen Mary University of London convened senior leaders from across business, government, education, health and the voluntary sector for a strategic civic summit focused on growth, skills and innovation in East London. Hosted by Canary Wharf Group and delivered in partnership with the East London Business Alliance (ELBA) through Queen Mary’s East London Civic Action Network (ELCAN), the event brought together over 150 stakeholders to shape a shared and deliverable vision for inclusive regional prosperity.
The morning opened with networking and a welcome from Julie Hutchinson, CEO of ELBA, before Sir Nigel Wilson, Chairman of Canary Wharf Group, delivered a keynote on the evolution of place and the role major developments can play in supporting long‑term economic and social value. Scene‑setting remarks from Professor Colin Bailey CBE, President and Principal of Queen Mary, and Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State and MP for East Ham, underlined the importance of aligning education, skills and economic policy with local opportunity - particularly for young people and communities historically facing barriers to progression.
A cross‑sector panel discussion moved the conversation from policy to practice, exploring how national and London‑wide strategies -such as the London Growth Plan, Inclusive Talent Strategy, Skills White Paper and Industrial Strategy - can be translated into meaningful, place‑based action in East London. Panellists from the NHS, Greater London Authority, KPMG, Queen Mary University of London and the community sector examined challenges around skills gaps, social value, and access to “good jobs”, alongside opportunities to embed inclusive talent pipelines into major institutions and local infrastructure.
Participants took part in facilitated roundtable discussions, designed to capture on‑the‑ground insight from employers, educators, voluntary organisations and local authorities. These sessions focused on practical collaboration - connecting policy ambitions to potential delivery through partnerships and local innovation. Discussions highlighted the importance of aligning employers’ skills needs with local talent, supporting social mobility, and strengthening East London’s capacity for inclusive growth.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to continued collaboration through ELCAN, with Queen Mary and partners taking forward the insights gathered to inform future programmes, partnerships and policy engagement.
Together, the day marked an important step toward a collective, action‑focused approach to building prosperity in East London - one rooted in place, powered by partnership, and focused on widening opportunity.
More detailed notes and themes will be shared here shortly.
