Covering Greater London, down to the south east coast and from Somerset to Cornwall in south west of England, this area has more than 23 million people. London is the most populous and the most productive area in the UK – more than 31.6% above average, but there are strong intra-regional differences, with a focus on rural activities and tourism in the far south compared to mixed and knowledge based industries around the capital in the south-east.
The London and the South Forum is led by the King’s College London. It is involved in the implementation of research insights, the design of practical business and policy interventions, and in providing input to the development of the Institute’s future research agenda.
Members include stakeholders from policy, community and business leaders from local, national and multinational enterprises.
Innovate UK
Connected Kerb
Work Advance
Confederation of British Industry, South West
South East Local Enterprise Partnership
King's Business School
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders
Electric Contractors' Association
CBI
Digital Catapult
Dorset Local Area Partnership
Octopus Electric Vehicles
Innovate UK
West of England Combined Authority
Bristol City Council
Bulb Energy
Ambitious PR
South East Local Enterprise Partnership
King's College London
Knowledge Transfer Network
Tech London Advocates
University College London
Trades Union Congress
Non-executive director & board member
King's College London
CIFF
Royal Holloway, University of London
KUKA Robotics
London has the highest level of productivity in the UK by a significant margin thanks to its high concentration of high-tech and high value-added businesses, graduates and other highly skilled individuals, alongside high calibre infrastructure. However there is a polarisation of living standards across London’s boroughs and the top 10% of London firms are up to three times more productive than the bottom 10%. Many areas in the South East have also experienced productivity growth surpassing the UK’s overall average. This is counterbalanced by areas outside of the capital’s commuter belt, particularly in the South West, which have relatively low levels of productivity.
The Greater London Authority, a unique governance structure established in 2000, covers the 32 London boroughs and has significant autonomy in areas like transport, housing, and policing. The South East of England has no devolution deal and its has significant intra-regional divides are compounded the lack of a coordinated regional voice through a Metro Mayor or other institution. Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset established the West of England Combined Authority in 2017, with a focus in planning, skills development, local transport, and business support. In 2015, Cornwall became the first rural unitary authority to successfully negotiate a devolution deal but turned down a mayoral devolution deal in 2023.
