is to be the inaugural
Chair of Thames Freeport* starting immediately.
As a former Secretary of State, she commands a deep knowledge of
government and a strong grasp of the logistics sector, which will
help drive forward the Freeport’s transformation programmes to
increase knowledge transfer, skills development and clean growth.
served as MP for Bolton West
from 1997 until she stood down in 2010. During this period, she
served as Secretary of State for Transport, Secretary of State
for Communities and Local Government, Secretary of State for
Education and Skills and Minister for Women and Equalities, as
well as holding ministerial roles in HM Treasury.
Since leaving Parliament, she has held roles at HSBC Global Asset
Management and St Mary’s University. As Pro-Vice Chancellor
for Research and Enterprise at St Mary’s, she spearheaded the
delivery of a transformational vision, ‘Vision 2025: St
Mary's plan for the future’.
, Chair of Thames
Freeport, commented: “I’m
pleased to lead a coalition of public sector partners and
businesses at the forefront of their industries during a period
of seismic change. The Freeport will create an irresistible
investment platform around our world-class ports – London Gateway
and Tilbury – that will deliver a step-change in terminal
capacity, supply chain resilience and manufacturing capability
for UK plc.
“The Freeport will drive fresh large-scale inward investment,
while driving regeneration in areas of need across our region and
creating a centre of excellence for the country as we electrify,
automate and digitise our future.”
Thames Freeport is a digitally linked economic zone connecting
Ford’s world-class Dagenham engine plant, the global ports at
London Gateway and Tilbury, and many communities in urgent need
of ‘levelling-up’. 20% of the UK’s most deprived
communities are in London and the South
East. Businesses looking to expand are being urged to
take advantage of the tax benefits of relocating to the Freeport
and being part of a customs zone, which will enable the
businesses to continue to have low friction trade processes with
the EU and global markets.
No location can match Thames Freeport for access to rail, road,
river and international maritime routes. Comprising
Britain’s most globally connected ports and logistics park and
Ford’s world-class engine plant, Thames Freeport represents a
faster, more cost-effective, and more environmentally responsible
way to service domestic and European markets. Ford Dagenham
is London’s largest manufacturing site.
As part of The Budget on Wednesday 27 October, the Thames
Freeport partners welcomed the announcement that the freeport
will begin operations from November. Thames Freeport is open for
business.
*Thames Freeport’s formal commercial launch took place at an
event at The Savoy Hotel, London, in the presence of Rt Hon
MP and Rt Hon MP on Wednesday
15th September. The Freeport has already
seen the £300 million announcement by DP World that work will
begin shortly on a new fourth berth at its London Gateway
logistics hub to increase supply chain resilience and create more
capacity for the world’s largest vessels.
Notes:
Thames Freeport benefits include:
- Over £4.5 billion in new public and private investment
- 21,000+ new jobs with many more across supply chains, with
significant investment in training and skills
- 1,700 acres of development land – much with planning consent
- £400 million port terminal investment into some of the most
deprived areas
- Freeports are in our DNA – DP World began as a free trade
zone in Jebel Ali, while Tilbury was a freeport until 2012.
DP World and Forth Ports are progressing
a Thames Freeport,
with London Gateway, the Port of Tilbury, Ford Dagenham and the
Thames Enterprise Park (TEP) at its heart – highlighting the role
of the River Thames in a prosperous, global Britain. TEP
will be a customs sub-zone.
The Thames Freeport will provide Ford with a testbed to support
the transition to a future of automated, connected, electric
vehicles.
The Thames Freeport is backed by local
MPs, alongside the Association of South Essex Local Authorities,
Barking and Dagenham Council, Basildon Council, Be First,
Brentwood Council, Castle Point Council, Essex Chamber of
Commerce, Essex County Council, Havering Council, London First,
Opportunity South Essex, the Rail Freight Group, Rochford
Council, Southend Council, the Thames Estuary Growth Board,
Thurrock Business Board, Thurrock Council and the South East LEP.
