Thames Freeport given the green light by UK government

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Thames Freeport has been given the go ahead to formally constitute its board and start operating fully, following the approval of the final business case by the UK government.

The Freeport is an economic zone located in the Thames Estuary and UK’s largest port, London. With 1,700 acres of development land, no location can match Thames Freeport for access to Europe’s largest consumer market and its excellent connectivity to 18 million people.

A partnership between Ford, Forth Ports and DP World, Thames Freeport will see over £4.6bn in new public and private investment, and the creation of over 21,000 new jobs and many more across supply chains. Significant investment in training and skills will contribute to the ‘levelling-up’ of the communities and businesses in East London and South Essex.

The freeport has already started to deliver new business growth, generating over 500 new jobs, with six businesses joining its sites that offer a package of financial incentives. Today’s announcement reinforces the great work that is already in place to boost the speed of investment, through a comprehensive Trade and Investment Programme with international partnerships to boost global trade. It also recognises Thames Freeport as a centre of innovation, decarbonised fuels, smart technology, and light freight on the river Thames – setting a standard for a green, net zero freeport of the future.

To strengthen the board of the Thames Freeport, three non-executive directors have been appointed to provide strong leadership, governance, and private and public expertise to make Thames Freeport a place where businesses thrive. Their details as follows:

· Paul Livingston, CEO & chair, Lockheed Martin UK, since April 2021. His global roles at Lockheed Martin have spanned operations, program management and business development.

· Prof Matt Hamnett is an expert in strategy, policy and major programme delivery. He has worked for the Department for Education, in Capita’s major deals team and as CEO of education group. Since founding consulting firm MH&A in 2018, he has advised public and private sector clients.

· Joan MacNaughton (Lady Jeffrey) has played an influential part in global energy and climate policy for twenty years at board level in government, business, the not-for-profit sector, and academia. She is an independent non-executive director of Heathrow Airport Holdings and a trustee of the Green Purposes Co. She sits the advisory boards of Equans UK, the Grantham Institute and Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis in the US.

Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison MP said: “We’re delivering on our mission to grow the economy and level up right across the UK. Thames Freeport is up and running and will bring high quality jobs, investment and trading opportunities for businesses in the region.”

Ruth Kelly, chair of Thames Freeport, commented: “Thames Freeport offers expanding businesses in green tech, low carbon logistics and manufacturing the advantage of the substantial investment incentives, streamlined customs procedures and co-location within a flourishing green freeport ecosystem. The addition of three industry heavyweights to our board as further momentum to our freeport offering. We welcome you to join us in this journey towards a better, greener and global future”

Charles Hammond, CEO of Forth Ports Group (owner and operator of the port of Tilbury), said: “Today’s announcement is another major milestone for the Thames Freeport – we are officially open for business.

Over the coming months, we will begin to see the green shoots of the freeport’s land development, infrastructure projects, skills initiatives and innovation programmes take shape. The appointment of a strong management team and board will boost the freeport activity and complement our business strategy, which is centred on accelerating growth in our low carbon logistics offering at the heart of Europe’s biggest consumer market and the south-east’s industrial base.

“Freeports can be a real catalyst for change. To that end, we welcome the continued engagement from officials and ministers to refine the process and improve the policy.”

Ernst Schulze, UK CEO of DP World, said: “We very much welcome the news that final government approval has been granted to Thames Freeport. As well as further cementing London Gateway’s Logistics Park as the UK’s premier port-centric logistics solution, Thames Freeport will also create local jobs and help ensure that the UK continues to be an attractive destination for inward investment.

“DP World plans to make £1bn of investment into the UK over the next decade, including the £350m new fourth berth at London Gateway that is currently under construction. We will continue to look at options to enable the UK economy’s global connectivity, create high-skilled jobs, invest in clean energy technologies, and support the development of local industry.”

Tim Slatter, chairman Ford Britain, said: “Ford welcomes the government’s approval for the Thames Freeport to begin operations, of which Dagenham is a key part. This decision will drive sustainable and inclusive growth for existing businesses along this strategic corridor, and provides huge potential for local regeneration and new job creation. Importantly for Ford and its thousands of Dagenham-based employees, this commitment to the Thames Estuary as the UK’s global gateway for trade will provide green-tech growth, skills development and advance future mobility solutions for our industry.”

Cllr Mark Coxshall, leader of Thurrock Council, said: “The approval for the full business case for Thames Freeport will further unlock huge opportunities for the borough and beyond. It will create thousands more skilled jobs, world class training opportunities and bring cutting edge environmentally friendly industries right on our doorstep, with new public and private investment in the heart of Thurrock.

“I am delighted that this ambitious project has achieved the final seal of approval and excited about the future of Thames Freeport and the prosperity it will bring to Thurrock.”

Cllr Darren Rodwell, leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, said: “This is fantastic news for the people of Barking and Dagenham and for London and the south-east as a whole. The Thames Freeport will unlock quality jobs and quality investment for the capital. It is another landmark project delivered for our residents which cements B&D’s place as a major hub for logistics in the capital.”

Cllr Ray Morgon, leader of Havering Council, said: “It is another step forward in recognising a significant area of investment and growth. We look forward to ensuring Havering benefits from this through creating new opportunities for residents, businesses and the wider borough.”