Wigan Council signs new economic growth partnership agreement with Hammersmith and Fulham
Economic growth partnership signing with Wigan and Hammersmith and Fulham Council Leaders and CEOs
Wigan Council has signed a new economic growth partnership with Hammersmith and Fulham Council to accelerate inclusive economic growth, digital innovation, and skills development.
The agreement was signed by Leader of Wigan Council, Cllr Nazia Rehman and her Hammersmith and Fulham counterpart Cllr Stephen Cowan.
It is a partnerships forged to drive economic growth and support Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s drive for growth in every postcode.
The signing took place at the Upstream London Network Economic Forum 2026 on Tuesday 13th October where partners gathered to launch the first chapter in a blueprint for place-based, innovation-led, inclusive growth, authored by Hammersmith and Fulham Leader Cllr Cowan.
Leader of Wigan Council, Cllr Nazia Rehman said: “Learning together can help us to deliver growth to every postcode in Wigan Borough, aligned with our Progress with Unity principles.
"Places like Wigan and Hammersmith and Fulham are asking the same questions; how do we grow our economies in a way that benefits local people.
“We want to build a genuine partnership with an honest sharing of our successes while addressing the challenges facing local authorities. This alliance will give us a seat on a table with more ideas, investment opportunities and practical examples.
“Our ambition is to create the high-quality jobs, career pathways and growth sectors that encourage more young people to stay, build successful careers and fulfil their ambitions close to home. We’re investing in innovation, digital skills and emerging industries so that the opportunities of the future can be found right here.”
Hammersmith and Fulham Leader Cllr Stephen Cowan, who is also Chair of London Councils, said: “The blueprint is building a practical model that can be adapted to support the Government’s mission of growth in every postcode.
“It is particularly pleasing that Wigan, under the leadership of Cllr Rehman, shares these values and is becoming one of our partners, joining our national and international alliance of leaders – an alliance of friends with a shared vision to grow our economies and make them inclusive so everyone benefits.”
“Place-based, innovation-led, inclusive growth is the model that lets towns, cities and regions compete on a global stage, without losing what makes them distinct.
“In the UK, that points naturally to local municipal government, where an economic growth strategy can sit alongside the other powers already held at that level: planning, zoning, public amenities, skills, infrastructure and council tax. Every council needs its own locally specific, place-based economic growth plan, each one contributing to a national mission of
innovative, inclusive growth.
“Our experience in Hammersmith and Fulham shows that local government can play a powerful role in creating innovation-led economic success. By bringing businesses, universities, investors and communities together around a clear mission, we have attracted £6.5 billion of growth investment, curated 17,200 new STEM (Science, technology engineering and maths) jobs and built one of the UK’s fastest-growing innovation economies.”
This strategic partnership connects two forward-thinking local authorities to pioneer practical collaboration, expand high-growth innovation ecosystems, and deliver inclusive economic growth across both boroughs.
Posted on Friday 16th October 2026