Unveiled on the 17th June 2025 at Domestic & General, Wimbledon, BIG Ambition: South London Growth is our focus for driving South London’s* economy forward. Aligned with the London Growth Plan, it sets a clear vision, clarifies priorities, and sets out how and where we will deliver inclusive, sustainable growth over the next decade. It strengthens our case for UK government support and devolution, and sets out a clear narrative about South London’s future.
This vision sets out our shared roadmap for growth through to 2035. It highlights where the opportunities lie and the support we need to unlock South London’s full potential.
Our ambition for South London is BIG, which mirrors the aspirations of our residents and local businesses. We now look forward to supporting London’s critical role in delivering the UK National Industrial Strategy by working with regional and national partners to deliver on these ambitions.
Watch the launch event highlights video
“South London has the talent and potential to be one of the most productive and innovative parts of the country.
Our boroughs and strategic partners are committed to working together around a shared sense of purpose. But we need investment to realise our ambitions for local people and local businesses. We have the clear vision, we have the partnership to deliver – we now need the backing to make it happen.”
Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader, Richmond Council and Chair, South London Partnership
Investing in Place
To become a leading ‘go-to and stay’ place for inclusive, sustainable innovation
Investing in place-based innovation could transform South London’s contribution to London’s economy and generate billions in additional GVA for the UK. South London has strong potential for growth in key sectors including creative and digital industries, sustainable construction, deep-tech, and life sciences. By leveraging the strengths of our universities, colleges, and strategic investment sites, we will become a hub for innovation and enterprise.
Investing in People
To deliver greater access for all our residents to do good work – higher quality, higher paid, & higher value jobs
South London’s future prosperity is dependent on training, developing and retaining its future workforce, with a particular focus on Health and Social Care, Built Environment, Hospitality and Retail, Education and Information and Communication. We must unlock the potential of all our people by providing them with skills, qualifications and experience that South London needs to ensure its future sustainability, prosperity and success, and creating opportunity for everyone, everywhere. To supply the talent, skills and workforce that South London needs, we will continue to work closely with local businesses and education partners.
Investing in Infrastructure
To better connect people with opportunity to support polycentric growth
By better connecting people with opportunity be that skills, jobs or housing we can boost South London’s productivity and growth. South London’s growth relies on modern transport and digital infrastructure. Poor connectivity limits access to jobs, education, and housing, and constrains economic potential. Investing in transport and digital networks will unlock homes, support business growth, foster inclusion, and drive a thriving, sustainable economy. Our infrastructure must match our ambitions for growth.
“The Mayor and I remain dedicated to working in partnership to ensure the results of London’s growth benefit every part of the city — and that together, we can continue building a fairer London for everyone.
“Following the launch of the London Growth Plan earlier this year, I welcome the South London Partnership’s Growth Ambition which sets out a vision that reflects the real strengths of South London – its talent, innovation and potential.”
Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business
Polycentric South London
View the place-based, tailored approaches that are key to delivering good growth.
Croydon
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Croydon
“Croydon is a borough defined by its history, its hustle, and its heart. We have an edge – the energy of the youngest, most diverse community in London, and the drive to turn opportunity into growth. Our unrivalled connectivity binds us not only to Central London and the South East, but to the heart of a £100 billion economy. We are London’s greenest borough, where open spaces meet a bustling town centre, creating the perfect conditions for business, creativity and life to flourish. With 16,000 businesses and a growing network of innovation hubs, Croydon is leading the way.”
Mayor Jason Perry, Executive Mayor, London Borough of Croydon
Kingston
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Kingston
“South London is well placed to play an important role in London’s success – but a successful economy is only successful if everyone reaps the rewards. Enhanced orbital transport links across the region are crucial for realising our ambitions, unlocking economic opportunities, reduced congestion, and better connecting businesses with local talent.”
Councillor Andreas Kirsch, Leader, Kingston Council
Merton
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Merton
Merton is special. We’re delivering on our plan to Build a Better Merton by breathing new life into our high streets and town centres, building the first council homes in a generation, connecting local people with good jobs, and breaking down the barriers to getting active as part of our ambition to become London’s Borough of Sport. We want everyone in Merton to succeed, as a thriving part of a fairer, more prosperous London.”
Councillor Ross Garrod, Leader, Merton Council
Richmond
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Richmond
“Richmond has a thriving business community ranging from international corporates to new and growing ventures. We offer great opportunities – a talented workforce, outstanding research and innovation, a growing creative economy and some of London’s most iconic visitor destinations. Our high streets and town centres provide great places for companies to grow. The Council works closely with businesses of all types to help them grow and contribute to the health and well-being of our borough.”
Councillor Phil Giesler, Lead Member for Business and Growth, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Sutton
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Sutton
“Sutton is building a future for our residents, with ambitious plans for new homes, secure and well-paid jobs and a thriving and welcoming town centre. On the main high street, we are delivering bold schemes that bring empty buildings back into a variety of retail, leisure, and commercial uses. Sutton will be the place where you can live well, work hard and have fun. The London Cancer Hub, just outside the Town Centre, will be one of the top four cancer research campuses in Europe, with important economic benefits including over three thousand new and well-paid local jobs”.
Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader, Sutton Council
“South London has a vital role to play in the city’s growth over the next ten years. From advancing its global centres for frontier innovation such as Sutton’s London Cancer Hub, to its six universities which produce skilled graduates, the area is helping to shape the city’s future.
As home to some of London’s largest green spaces, most recognisable historic sites and sporting venues, and thriving high streets, South London possesses a world-class experience economy. A key growth area in the London Growth Plan, we are proud to be part of the effort to develop this sector over the next decade, creating resilient, sustainable, and inclusive growth in South London, as we champion polycentric growth across our city.”
Laura Citron OBE, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), London and Partners
Accelerating South London’s Growth Clusters
London is the beating heart of the UK economy, and the Mayor has, through the publication of the London Growth Plan, set out the clusters that will be most impactful over the next decade – clusters where London is already at the frontier of science and technology, leading global innovation, and ones that have the potential to be highly productive and exportable.
However, the London Growth Plan rightly acknowledges that local areas will have their own growth ambitions, which will need to be supported by London-wide policy and investment.
Our Growth Ambition’s document outlines South London’s key growth clusters, areas of investment that will drive our ambition to become the go-to destination for inclusive and sustainable innovation in:
- Health and Life Sciences
- Net Zero and Nature
- Experience and Visitor Economy
- Creative and Digital
These growth clusters have been identified by analysing the concentration of our existing businesses and knowledge asset base, the research, innovation and teaching strengths of our South London partner universities and colleges and the growth potential of the many, varied and exciting strategic investment sites being brought forward across the region.
What is South London Asking for?
Our Growth Ambitions Statement outlines South London’s shared vision for inclusive, sustainable growth, grounded in strong partnerships with local people, businesses, and civic institutions. As a sub-region, we are committed to unlocking future opportunities and contributing to the wider success of London and the UK.
To achieve these goals, we call on national and local governments to invest in the place, people, infrastructure and support needed to realise London’s polycentric growth ambitions. Addressing key challenges, especially around connectivity, will allow South London to build on its strengths and help deliver the aims of the National Industrial Strategy and the London Growth Plan, driving inclusive economic and social progress through 2035 and beyond.
*All references to ‘South London’ within the document relate to the South London Partnership sub-region of Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond and Sutton unless otherwise stated.
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