London Growth Plan recognises emerging tech as the key opportunity for future growth
techUK welcomes the release of the London Growth Plan (27 February). The 10-year plan places tech and digitisation at the heart of future growth and prosperity for the global city. Artificial intelligence (AI), life sciences, robotics, cleantech, the creative industries and quantum computing are rightly identified as key opportunities for future growth. Looking ahead, industry collaboration must be at the heart of delivery on proposals.
In partnership between GLA, London Councils and London & Partners, the London Growth Plan aims to promote the city's economic growth and role as a global tech hub. Ahead of the Government’s modern industrial strategy and comprehensive spending review, the plans marks a pivotal moment for the mayor to set his stall on improving the productivity, inclusion, green growth and global reach of the city. At the heart of this is seizing London’s role as frontier creator of breakthrough technologies and solutions.
Over recent years, London has faced challenges ranging from the fallout of Brexit, Covid-19 pandemic and structural changes to the workforce. However, the city has remains resilient and has embraced new special patterns of growth and the transformation of work (flexible working, AI and the gig economy). London’s emerging strength in innovation and frontier technologies has also continued to gain momentum.
techUK represents over 1,100 members, of which nearly 700 are SMEs and we are pleased to see support for SMEs and scaling businesses front and centre of the plan, particularly those at the forefront of innovation. For instance, a pan-London business support service with a coalition of partners to: increase SME productivity; scale business in the growth sectors; systematically increase access to finance; close the entrepreneurship gap. Our ‘UK Tech SMEs: Driving Economic Growth and Innovation’ reporthighlights key challenges and opportunities for tech SMEs across regions of the UK, echoing similarpriorities to the London Growth Plan.
Key ‘one-year actions’ to back businesses include:
Launch a new London Tech and Inclusive Growth fund to provide loan and equity funding for high-growth SMEs.
Support scaleups in the growth sectors to expand into international markets.
Explore a large-scale intervention on SME finance, in partnership with the British Business Bank and others in the responsible finance sector.
Set a City Innovation Strategy for how London’s public sector will adopt innovation to solve problems for Londoners and, in doing so, grow frontier sectors like life sciences and green innovation.
Invest in a new quantum tech incubator in partnership with London universities.
techUK continue to call for better, and clearer, finance options to support high-growth SMEs, along with support for industries of the future like quantum tech.
Our upcoming ScaleUp Action Plan report (to be released 17 March) also point to key actions to support tech scale-ups to expand into new markets and pool further investment into high-growth tech SMEs.
techUK action
techUK represent over 1,100 members from across the tech sector with a footprint and sprawling supply chains across all regions of the UK. We support the growth and prosperity of the nation’s capital as a thriving place for tech firms to scale and grow. While recognising the vital role of London as the ‘tech capital’ of Europe, we continue to call for the growth of digital and tech clusters business across all regions of the UK. This will deliver on better living standards and prosperity for all.
Our Local Digital Index 2024 aims to shine light on regions that are setting the pace in digital and tech provision, adoption and business growth. It demonstrates how access to technology and its application serve the cities and regions with the greatest potential to drive growth across UK - in exciting prospects such as green industries, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, the creative sector, and others.
Over the coming weeks, techUK will continue to engage with the GLA, London & Partners and London Councils on the next steps of the Plan. Our members will be central to achieving the objectives of the Growth Plan and we continue to call for active industry engagement and collaboration to deliver on proposals.
Matt Robinson
Head of Nations and Regions, techUK
Matt Robinson
Head of Nations and Regions, techUK
Matt is techUK’s Head of Nations and Regions.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Alison Young is the Associate Director Local Public Services.
Alison has background in International Trade & Investment, with experience in the public, private and third sector, advising on international trade, new markets, inward investment and working closely with UK cities and regions around investment into innovation and partnerships and technology. Prior to joining techUK, she has her own consulting business and was Head of Global Investment with the Connected Places Catapult. This role had a focus on FDI around the built environment and mobility, working across NetZero mobility projects in the UK and globally. She worked closely with the Innovation Districts Group, to foster and network of knowledge sharing and helped set up the Freeport Innovation Network, to foster innovation in the context of freeports with a focus on investment.
She spent six years living and working in the Middle East, with the Department for Business and Trade. Based first in Oman, leading on a number of sectors, from Education to Infrastructure, then based in the UAE, setting up the Technology and Smart Cities sector, with a core focus on AI and Fintech.
She is passionate about economic growth for the UK, to create jobs and opportunities; the green agenda and the decarbonisation of transport. She has a degree in Russian Studies MA, from the University of Edinburgh and is currently learning Arabic.
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
Mia focuses on shaping a policy environment that fosters the expansion of the UK tech sector while maximising the transformative potential of technology across all industries.
Prior to joining techUK, Mia worked as a Senior Policy Adviser at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) within the Policy Unit.
Mia holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Manchester and a BA(Hons) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team as the Team Assistant in February 2023 and as Public Affairs Manager in September 2023
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience across the nations and regions. Visit the programme page here
Local Digital Index 2024
Read our analysis of digital ecosystems across the UK in 2024.
Roundtable: Driving Tech Sector Growth and Advancing the Digital Economy in… the West Midlands
On 9 April, hosted by techUK member PwC at their Birmingham offices, this roundtable will unveil key insights from the Local Digital Index and spark discussions on how we can drive growth and innovation in the region’s tech sector. We will be joined by keynote speakers such as Ed Cox, Executive Director for Strategy, Integration & Net Zero at the West Midlands Combined Authority and Paul Connell, Co-Founder of The Data City.
On 1 April, Meet the Investors: Manchester will look to address one of the key SME challenges – access to scale-up finance. Through keynotes addresses and a panel discussion, you will hear from a number of investors who work in and around the Manchester area, and have the opportunity to ask them questions.
The third event in our Meet the Investors series will be held in Manchester in mid-June. The event will look to address one of the key challenges for SMEs - access to scale-up finance. Through keynotes addresses and a panel discussion, you will hear from a number of investors who work in and around the Glasgow area, and have the opportunity to ask them questions.
Do you have a trailblazer in your team?
Do you work with an innovator or a problem solver?
Do you have an inspirational colleague who deserves the spotlight for their work? The President’s Awards are back for 2025 and open for nominations. All techUK members are encouraged to nominate one colleague.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
This digital energy transition campaign week will focus on the digital transformation of the energy sector, its ability to deliver higher impact through tech and the capability of our industry to deliver a just transition.
