Neale Coleman CBE announced as chair of Oxford Growth Commission
Regeneration expert, Neale Coleman CBE, has been appointed as Chair of the Oxford Growth Commission. This major government programme will unleash growth, by accelerating plans for new housing, jobs and infrastructure across the city.
The Commission’s pro-growth mission is welcomed, bringing Government to the table with developers and the councils, enabling focus on Oxford West End, the city and surrounding areas. Neale contributes a proven track record in delivering growth and regeneration, including his work for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council, said:
“Oxford has the ideas, skills and track record to drive inclusive local and national economic growth, but we have always known we need the right conditions to go further, faster. We have big ambitions for the future of Oxford. I welcome today’s appointment of Neale Coleman as the chair of the Oxford Growth Commission. The City Council and universities lobbied government to create this Commission to help us collectively address local infrastructure needs and barriers to growth. Neale’s track record in delivering large-scale projects, such as the Olympic Games, securing growth and propelling regeneration aligns with our own.
“I look forward to working with him, and the wider Growth Commission, to unlock new opportunities that benefit the people here in Oxford – such as reopening the Cowley Branch Line, bringing forward Oxford West End and a new Oxford station – as well as supporting the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and driving economic growth across the UK. This is a chance to work together to deliver the infrastructure, housing and employment opportunities we need to secure a sustainable future for our children and grandchildren.”
The Oxford Growth Commission is a joint endeavour with membership consisting of government representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Homes England, alongside Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, the University of Oxford, and Oxford Brookes, as well as a representative from the local Business Community, Advanced Oxford.
Housing and Planning Minister, Matthew Pennycook said:
“Unlocking Oxford’s full potential would make a significant contribution to kickstarting economic growth and so the appointment of Neale Coleman as the Chair of the Oxford Growth Commission marks an important step forward in the government’s Plan for Change”.
“I know Neale will use his invaluable expertise to help remove barriers holding up the delivery of essential housing and critical infrastructure in the city, and that he will ensure the Commission is effectively supporting the government’s wider plans for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor to raise living standards, create new jobs and bolster the country’s connectivity and energy security.”
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice Chancellor at the University of Oxford said:
“The University of Oxford attracts millions in investment through its thriving spin-out ecosystem as a world-class hub for research and innovation. It is proud to create new companies and jobs every year across the region, and as part of the Oxford-Cambridge supercluster it is committed to furthering its economic contribution to the region and UK. This ambition and growth will be realised more quickly through the Oxford Growth Commission under Neale’s outstanding leadership, and I look forward to working with him and his team on this exciting and crucial endeavour.”
The five initial Growth Commission workstreams include:
- Facilitating the delivery of priority transport infrastructure, such as buses and rail, and ensuring investment in new projects is aligned to areas under development.
- Addressing utilities constraints, including the capacity of sewage treatment facilities, water and energy to dismantle barriers holding up new homes and jobs.
- Identifying a pipeline of priority housing projects that includes more affordable homes, amenities and green spaces.
- Working in partnership with the universities to encourage more private investment in skills and talent to boost local employment.
- Piloting new investment models to unlock the financing and funding needed to accelerate infrastructure projects.
- To drive growth across the region, the Commission will work closely with Lord Vallance as Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion as well as Peter Freeman as Chair of the Cambridge Growth Company.
