The UK Innovation Corridor (UKIC), an economic region of global significance joining two of the country’s most productive cities, London and Cambridge, has announced that Willmott Dixon has agreed a three year commitment to become a strategic partner.
Willmott Dixon will now take their place on the Board of UKIC alongside the 15 local authorities and six universities currently represented, creating a powerful collaboration of the public and private sector driving innovation, growth and cohesion across the region.
The announcement of Willmott Dixon’s partnership with the UKIC coincided with the publication of the UKIC Growth Plan which demonstrates that the region is on course to almost double the size of its economy, growing from £189 billion to £350 billion by 2050.
Commenting on the new relationship with Willmott Dixon, Jackie Sadek, chair, UKIC, explained that UKIC’s ambition had long been to establish a “ground up” partnership with the private sector. She added:
“As one of the region’s largest privately-owned companies, we are delighted to welcome Willmott Dixon as a strategic partner of UKIC and our first private sector partner. Their commercial acumen and particular expertise in development will prove invaluable as this region looks towards a period of rapid growth.”
Hitchin based Willmott Dixon, established in 1852, has its roots in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire, local to the UKIC region. A recent King’s Awards for Enterprise winner for sustainable development, the company has completed numerous projects in the region, including educational projects such as the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy for the University of Cambridge and the European Bioinformatics Institute, Cambridge. Current projects include building a new head office for Hertfordshire Constabulary in Welwyn Garden City as well as a number of mixed-use regeneration developments in London.
Speaking at UKREiif in Leeds, Stewart Brundell, Managing Director at Willmott Dixon for North London and the Northern Home Counties, explained that the company’s new relationship with the UKIC underscored the company’s commitment to connectivity, partnerships and seeing the region grow and prosper. Stewart stressed the need for businesses to leverage their collective strengths and learn from one another.
“In this complex, fast moving and volatile world, no individual business can resolve the challenges that we have alone”, he commented.
Stewart explained that Willmott Dixon viewed themselves as enablers, bridging the gap between public and private sectors, a role which he saw becoming increasingly important. Their aim was to foster an environment where “collaboration can thrive and innovation can flourish.”
Stewart added that Willmott Dixon was looking forward to helping the UKIC drive forward a future of shared success and innovation.