What is the Gatwick Diamond Initiative?
In 2003, business leaders begain to work together to drive economic growth in an already successful business trading area but which had no identity other than being part of the counties of Surrey and Sussex, close to London with an airport at its centre. The business community developed a new identity called 'the Gatwick Diamond' and now ten years later it is internationally recognised and truly has a global future.
Early on, business leaders and local authorities set up the Gatwick Diamond Initiative is a business led private/public sector partnership. The Initiative is led by two business champions, Paul Gresham of KPMG and David Butcher of FD Outsourcing and the Gatwick Diamond Initiative employs an Executive Director, Rosemary French.
Focusing on key strategic issues, local authorities, government agencies and leading business representatives are addressing the needs of the area as a strategic entity to ensure it is a world-class place to live, work and do business.
The Gatwick Diamond Initiative is funded by six District and Borough Councils, two County Councils and Gatwick Airport. The local authorities are: Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, Mole Valley District Council, Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Crawley Borough Council, Horsham District Council, Surrey County Council, West Sussex County Council.
The Gatwick Diamond Future Plan established three strategic initiatives, each managed by a task group, with their own action plans:
- INSPIRE - inspiring knowledge to enhance skills, productivity and innovation
- CONNECT - creating a transport network for global competitiveness
- GROW - creating a 'smart growth' planning strategy for sustainable development
The overall direction of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative is led by the Gatwick Diamond Overview Forum, chaired by Paul Gresham of KPMG. Membership is made up of senior business representatives, local authority leaders and key public sector organisations. It provides strategic direction and oversight of the Gatwick Diamond's financial and performance management. Operational management of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative and the action plan is the responsibility of the Board of Management, chaired by David Butcher of FD Outsourcing Ltd, which also coordinates the work of the task groups.
Promotion of the Diamond and the work of the Forum, Management Group and the task groups is carried out by the Marketing & Communications Working Group.
The Gatwick Diamond is one of five area partnerships which comprise the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. Click here to find out more.
See also:
- Key Facts and Figures
- Business Plan / Futures Plan
- Principal Partners
- Associate Partners
- Business Champions
If you would like to become an active business partner and contribute to the development of the Gatwick Diamond, do email Rosemary French or contact her on 01293 813950 or 07748 115411.
