Cambridge Ahead

✨ 2024 Highlights at Cambridge Ahead ✨   As we reflect on 2024, we are proud of the progress and partnerships that have shaped another successful year. Here are some of the key highlights:   ➡️Launch of the Infrastructure Gap Programme – We’ve published critical new evidence encouraging an infrastructure-first approach for the future growth of Cambridge, ensuring this is sustainable and well-planned. ➡️Commitment to East West Rail – The Government's full backing for East West Rail to Cambridge, along with significant progress from the East West Railway Company, means the scheme is moving forward cognisant of community feedback. ➡️Abbey Parent Power Project – We launched this initiative in partnership with Abbey People, Cambridge City Council, and The Brilliant Club to empower local parents and enhance educational opportunities for young people. ➡️Evidence Contribution – We provided multiple inputs to Government, the Cambridge Growth Company, and Local Authorities, to inform long-term decision-making. ➡️Apprenticeship Levy Reform – Following years of advocacy, the reform of the Apprenticeship Levy is now a reality, offering more flexibility for employers and opening doors for local talent. ➡️New Members – We are thrilled to welcome Cambridge United Football Club, Eastern Education Group, and This Land to our invited membership, strengthening our network and collaborations. ➡️Manchester / Cambridge Partnership – Mayor Andy Burnham’s visit to Cambridge and the continued work with Innovate Cambridge have further solidified collaboration as part of the Manchester / Cambridge partner city initiative.   A big thank you to our members, partners, and supporters who have been instrumental in advancing these initiatives. We look forward to continuing our work together in 2025 and beyond, driving good growth and success for Cambridge and the surrounding region.   #CambridgeAhead #Infrastructure #EastWestRail #ApprenticeshipLevy #CommunityGrowth #Partnerships #Cambridge2025

🚆 Reminder: East West Rail Consultation! 🚆 Don't forget to share your feedback on the new East West Rail project, which will connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge. With government support, this railway will enhance sustainable economic growth, providing better access to jobs, education, public services, and leisure opportunities. ⏱️ Consultation Deadline: 24th January 2025 Your voice matters in shaping the future of this important infrastructure. Be sure to submit your thoughts before the deadline! Take part in the consultation here: https://bit.ly/3AHRfpD #EastWestRail #SustainableGrowth #CommunityConnection #Infrastructure #PublicConsultation

🌍 Building a Sustainable Future Together 🌍 We were delighted to host sustainability and social impact leaders from across our member organisations at the final ESG Network meeting of 2024, held last week at Unity Campus A huge thank you to Samuel Scharf FRSA from Cambridge City Council for sharing insights into the Community Wealth Building Strategy and the concept of sustainable procurement. This approach maximises the social value of business spending, having a deeper and more lasting effect beyond grants – building the idea of community wealth building and social enterprise into entire supply chains. Key points: - Maximising Impact: Sustainable procurement isn’t just about spending; it’s about increasing the social value of that spend, with grants playing a role, but greater impact achievable through broader business practices. - Opportunities for Social Value: A Focus on small transactions and the role of social enterprises in supply chains offers low-risk ways to generate change. - Engagement and Mentorship: Sharing experience with social enterprises to help them navigate the system is vital. A buddy system and feedback loops were two tools Cambridge Ahead members discussed to approach this issue. Thanks to Howard Group for hosting. We look forward to continuing these conversations and driving change in Greater Cambridge. #Sustainability #SustainableProcurement #SocialValue

🌟 Member News: Empowering Futures with Deloitte 🌟 Deloitte’s 5 Million Futures programme partners with over 80 schools and charities, including local initiatives like their exciting new partnership with Castle Manor Academy in Haverhill, to raise aspirations and equip young people with the skills they need for the future. Since 2016, Deloitte has supported nearly 3 million people across the UK, helping them overcome barriers to skills, education, and employment. In the past year alone, over 661,000 individuals have benefited, with Deloitte professionals volunteering more than 55,000 hours to drive positive change. We encourage our members and partners to learn more about this impactful programme and explore how initiatives like these are helping to shape the future workforce and create lasting social change. Read the full press release: https://bit.ly/3VOLvlB #SkillsForTheFuture #CommunityImpact #Education #FutureLeaders

🚴♂️ Cambridge's Future Transport System: Emerging Technology & Last Mile Solutions 🛴 Yesterday, we hosted a productive session on the future of transport in the region, focusing on emerging technologies and last-mile solutions. We heard from experts Theo Gough of Voi Technology, Jon Williams of Zedify, and Jess Cunningham from the University of Cambridge about how new technologies can help ease congestion, reduce carbon emissions, and improve mobility. Cambridge is an early adopter which is having a positive impact – with Cambridge having higher levels of usage than other UK cities of the Voi micro-mobility trial, being the home of sustainable logistics start-up Zedify that is now operating in 10 cities across the country, and with major institutions like the University of Cambridge actively building these technologies into campuses and operations. The discussion considered how the Cambridge city region can mainstream these solutions into a strategic transport plan for the future, what could be done to move the dial further on modal shift towards sustainable and active travel, and how these technologies can be planned into mobility hubs and new infrastructure. We also received an update from Jeff Jardine of East West Railway Company on the ongoing consultation, which will further enhance connectivity in the region. Looking ahead, there is a real opportunity to shape a more efficient and sustainable transport system for the city and beyond. #FutureTransport #EmergingTechnology #LastMileSolutions #Sustainability #EastWestRail

🌿 Member News: Sustainability Milestone 🌞 We’re proud to share that The Cambridge Building Society, one of our valued members, has completed one of the largest rooftop solar panel installations in central Cambridge at their headquarters on Newmarket Road. With 258 panels generating 116,000 kWh annually, enough to power 40 homes for a year, they are significantly reducing their carbon footprint and showcasing how renewable energy can benefit both businesses and homes. Additionally, they are retrofitting a 1930s home in Ferndale Rise with 10 solar panels as part of an effort to demonstrate affordable, energy-efficient solutions for homeowners. The Cambridge Building Society’s commitment to sustainability is a great example of how we can all contribute to a greener future! Read more: https://ow.ly/w4T250UiQbq #Sustainability #SolarPower #EnergyEfficiency #GreenEnergy

🏡 Greater Cambridge Can Deliver 🏡 Our latest build-out data report, produced in collaboration with Savills delves into planning consents and completion rates across the Greater Cambridge area. This data is one indicator of, rather than a comprehensive study into, the rate that new homes are built-out in our city region. The key takeaway from this latest data is that the gap between consents and homes in Greater Cambridge in recent years has averaged just 6%. This compares with a national average of 21%. This suggests that new homes get built out relatively quicker in the Cambridge city region. The data also shows that the historic rate of delivery of new housing stock in Greater Cambridge is high – 1.5% per year over the last decade, compared to 0.9% nationally. There has, though, been a recent downturn in new consents. To read more: https://ow.ly/Ryjt50Uhs28 #HousingGrowth #SustainableDevelopment #GreaterCambridge

🚀 Our Response to the Industrial Strategy Consultation 🚀 We’ve engaged with our members and local stakeholders to ensure a strong, unified response to the UK government’s Industrial Strategy consultation, reinforcing Cambridge’s pivotal role in the national economy.   Key messages: - A Major UK Asset: the Cambridge city region is home to globally significant sectors in Life Sciences, Tech, and Advanced Manufacturing, contributing over £50bn annually in turnover. - Sector strengths: Cambridge has powerful examples of high-potential sub-sectors of the kind Government is looking for – notably semiconductor design, advanced therapies, cybersecurity, gaming, and genomics. Innovation-led strategies will drive the future success of these industries - Infrastructure Investment: To support good growth, it’s essential to invest in key infrastructure—transport, energy, water, housing, and social infrastructure. - Fiscal Devolution: Giving more control locally can unlock private investment and support local leaders to manage growth. - Regional Connectivity: Strengthening links between key UK clusters will drive productivity and growth across the country. - Skills & Inclusive Growth: Supporting the development of local skills through targeted investment is key to building an inclusive economy.   Read more about our key messages: https://bit.ly/4fXt9GI  #IndustrialStrategy #SustainableGrowth #Infrastructure #UKClusters

Thank you, Gareth John! We were delighted to join the panel discussion at the Form the Future CIC annual conference. The topics covered are crucial for driving inclusive economic growth, enhancing talent pipelines, and ensuring strong connections within innovation clusters.

🚌 Bus Service Reform – An Important Step Towards Improved Transport 🚌   We have recently submitted our response to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority bus franchising consultation. Here are our key messages for reference: - Urgent Reform Needed: Current bus provision isn’t meeting community and economy needs sufficiently, at a time when supporting a greater shift to sustainable transport and easing the congestion on our roads is crucial. - Support for Franchising: Cambridge Ahead strongly backs the Proposed Franchising Scheme, which offers transformational opportunities for greater control, strategic oversight, and accountability. - Single Ticketing System: Represents a major step towards unified ticketing that would transform the user experience. - Integrated Transport System for the Future: More scope for local leaders to define and deliver a strategic transport system that supports sustainable growth, and embraces opportunities to transform. - Responding to the changing shape of our region: Greater influence over bus network design should enable better consideration of emerging employment sites, housing developments, and new infrastructure. Collaboration between local partners, communities, and employers is crucial to secure the long-term future of our region. We are committed to working together towards a sustainable and effective public transport system.   #BusConsultation #PublicTransport #SustainableGrowth