The Policy and Oversight Board met to discuss the council's work to support inclusive growth, hearing from local businesses and council officers. The meeting noted the contents of the report on inclusive growth and the provisional dates for future meetings.

Update on the Council's Work to Support Inclusive Growth

The Board received an update on the council's Upstream London vision, which aims to establish Hammersmith and Fulham as an innovation campus borough and a centre for inclusive, innovation-led growth. Councillor Zarrar Kium, Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Skills, highlighted that Upstream London, launched in November 2024, builds on the borough's 2017 industrial strategy and has already seen £6 billion in investment and the creation of over 17,200 new jobs. The strategy focuses on three pillars: pathway bonds, placemaking, and partnerships.

David Pack, Assistant Director of Economic Development, elaborated on the borough's economic strengths, including a skilled workforce and significant investment in STEM³ sectors. However, he also outlined challenges such as inflation, the cost of living crisis, a recent slight downturn in the employment rate, pockets of deprivation, and high office vacancy rates.

Key initiatives discussed included:

• Pathway Bond: This programme aims to connect young people with career opportunities in growth sectors through interventions like work experience, mentoring, and insight days. So far, 125 employers and 23 schools have engaged, with 311 work experience placements offered.
• Employment and Skills: The H&F Works job brokerage service supported 531 residents into employment and 94 into apprenticeships in 2025/26. The service also focuses on care-experienced young people and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). A key priority is increasing access to STEM³ sector opportunities.
• Strategic Partnerships & Nexus: The council is collaborating with international innovation districts and has a longstanding partnership with Imperial College London through Nexus, which supports science, tech, and creative industries.
• Economic Development & Growth: This team supports small businesses through a dedicated desk, expert advice, networking events, and supply chain access. Initiatives also focus on place-shaping for high streets and increasing the supply of affordable workspace.
• H&F Adult Learning & Skills (HFALS): This service offers a range of courses to help residents gain qualifications and progress into employment. High achievement rates were reported, with a focus on future skills for jobs in STEM³, digital, AI, and the green economy.

The Board also heard from two local business owners:

• Letitia Phillips, founder of Skin Irie London, a natural skincare brand. She shared how the council's support, including participation in markets and the Scale Up programme, was instrumental in her business's growth. She highlighted the need for more tailored networking opportunities and support for scaling businesses.
• Dr. Holly Millmine, founder of Hive Wellness, a wellness clinic. She moved to the borough specifically to build her company and praised the council's support in connecting her with mentors and marketing teams. She emphasised the importance of a strong local ecosystem and catalyst networks for entrepreneurs.

Discussions also covered the challenges of securing funding for businesses, the complexities of grant applications, and the potential for greater collaboration between businesses and the council to support young entrepreneurs and those at risk of exploitation. The council's role in signposting businesses to grants and support, rather than directly providing them, was clarified. The potential for businesses to transfer unspent apprenticeship levy funds to support startups and scale-ups was also raised as a complex but potentially valuable avenue.

The Board noted the contents of the report.

Dates of Future Meetings

The Board noted the provisional dates for future meetings: 17 November 2026, 3 February 2027, and 28 April 2027.