Cambridge Growth Company to contribute to 'Global Tech Cities' this September

Above: Peter Freeman (courtesy Homes England / Cambridge Growth Company)

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Cambridge Growth Company (CGC) and Advisory Council Chair, Peter Freeman, will be speaking at our 'Global Tech Cities' discussion event, hosted by the Cambridge Science Park at The Bradfield Centre this September.

The CGC has established itself as a government supported, pro-growth company working closely and collaboratively with local elected leaders to overcome obstacles to growth and to promote sustainable, infrastructure-led development and economic growth.

Since the CGC’s inception, Peter Freeman has met local MPs, The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor, Leaders and Chief Executives of all local authorities, business leaders, landowners, developers, and representatives from Cambridge’s universities, life science, technology, and innovation groups to draw up a picture of the local issues, ambitions, and opportunities.

CGC appointed a team of consultants led by Buro Happold and Prior + Partners to assist in the development of a vision for Greater Cambridge in February 2025. The Buro Happold and Prior + Partners led team are holding regular meetings with Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service who are developing a Local Plan for Greater Cambridge, to explore alignment and complementarity.

CGC says it is continuing recruitment for and the setting up of its dedicated Cambridge office while developing its Branding and Identity and a website to aid communications. Within the CGC and across government, Peter Freeman is leading a team of professionals across a range of disciplines including commercial and housing, economics, transport, water, the environment, and land supply to develop ambitious plans for Greater Cambridge.

It states that the intention is that the CGC in its current form may transition into a growth and delivery vehicle, that has the capacity and capability to take a long-term approach to delivery. No decisions on a future delivery vehicle have been taken at this stage.

The CGC will continue to place the highest value on working collaboratively with elected leaders, local councils, and stakeholders through a programme of engagement that will include the general public, business communities, and local groups. The CGC commits to acting with integrity and respect with every stakeholder and interested person or group and to add value in a collective ambition to realise Greater Cambridge’s unique potential.

The CGC Board will comprise of six officers. These include the CGC and Advisory Council Chair, Peter Freeman, and Director, Beth Dugdale, a senior officer at Homes England.

Additional members are drawn from senior positions at the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government.

Peter Freeman is co-founder of the property developer Argent and is well known as one of the visionaries behind the revival of King’s Cross, as well as major developments in Birmingham and Manchester. He has a track record of planning and delivering the regeneration of local areas and creating places that are both socially and economically vibrant.