East London's Here East Campus Becomes Central Hub for UK Innovation Strategy
The United Kingdom's ambitious push to develop a more interconnected and dynamic innovation economy is finding its anchor in east London, where the sprawling Here East campus has transformed into one of the nation's largest multi-sector technology hubs. Occupying the former Olympic press and broadcast centre in Stratford, this 1.2 million square foot site is designed to unite universities, startups, established corporations, and creative industries under a single roof, fostering unprecedented collaboration.
A Thriving Ecosystem Supporting Thousands of Jobs
Currently, more than 6,500 individuals work and study across over thirty different organizations at Here East. According to estimates from Oxford Economics, the campus supports over 10,000 jobs throughout the country, highlighting its significant economic impact. Chief executive Gavin Poole explained that the model is fundamentally built around enabling companies to scale within a cohesive ecosystem, eliminating the need for disruptive relocations as they expand.
"Companies fundamentally seek growth, and we provide them with the opportunity to grow seamlessly," Poole told City AM. He noted that demand for space is accelerating rapidly as activity in the broader technology and property markets gains momentum. "We've been struggling since March to keep availability numbers down. Since February, things have really started to speed up," he added.
Clustering Strategy Drives Collaboration Across Sectors
The campus embodies a broader shift in UK innovation policy toward clustering, which strategically places research institutions, universities, early-stage companies, and large firms in close proximity to stimulate collaboration. At Here East, this philosophy manifests through a diverse mix of academic laboratories, production studios, commercial offices, and creative spaces.
University facilities from institutions like UCL and Loughborough focus on cutting-edge areas such as robotics and advanced manufacturing. Meanwhile, nearby startups are developing innovations ranging from medical devices to film technology. One founder working on surgical robotics on site shared, "We're currently in the pre-clinical stage; we've completed animal trials, but this summer we'll be advancing to human trials."
Supporting Creative Ventures and Lowering Growth Barriers
Alongside research-driven ventures, creative and media businesses are also expanding their presence at the campus. Hawk, the video production startup behind films like The Running Man, began with a small team but has scaled its operations at Here East as demand for production infrastructure has surged.
"It's a startup. Like every startup, you're constantly asking: where should we invest our resources?" the founder explained to City AM. Here East aims to lower barriers to growth by offering ready-to-use spaces and flexible expansion options. Poole illustrated this approach: "We've allocated a startup 12,000 square feet of workspace, hoping they'll achieve breakthrough success. If it doesn't work out, it's not catastrophic—we'll simply reclaim the space and lease it to another tenant."
Plexal: The Innovation Hub Connecting Startups with Corporates
At the heart of the campus lies Plexal, an innovation hub that connects startups with corporate partners and government-backed programs. "It serves as a hub for member organizations, ranging from small startups to much larger corporate partners," Poole stated. "Banks like Barclays maintain space here for their innovation teams to engage directly with emerging trends and developments in the ecosystem."
Expanding Educational and Creative Footprints
The site is further broadening its educational and creative influence. NABA, Italy's largest Academy of Fine Arts, is establishing its first campus outside Italy at Here East, joining five universities already based there. Poole emphasized, "London has long been a global reference point for fashion design, artistic expression, and creative education, with East London serving as a key driver of the sector's growth."
With additional initiatives planned around immersive technology and the experience economy, Here East is solidifying its role as a central node in the UK's endeavor to construct a more integrated and resilient innovation system, positioning east London at the forefront of the nation's technological and creative advancement.
