London Gatwick launches new Airport Economic Zone (AEZ) interim strategic advisory board to support long-term economic growth across the region
- New board will guide development of Gatwick Region AEZ
- Co-chair announced as Julie Kapsalis, MBE
- Inaugural meeting held this week
With London Gatwick’s Northern Runway Project set to unlock new capacity, deliver over £1 billion in economic benefit annually and 14,000 new jobs for the region – the ambition is to ensure the benefits of this growth are felt both locally as well as nationally.
To turn this ambition into action, the airport’s Northern Runway plans include a comprehensive Employment Skills and Business Strategy designed to further enhance the economic, social and business benefits of its growth.
In 2025 the Gatwick Region Airport Economic Zone (AEZ) initiative was announced as a critical part of this with a taskforce made up of representatives from local authorities and key business stakeholders shaping its design and key priorities.
While the full funding for the AEZ is not unlocked until work formally commences on the Northern Runway, the AEZ has reached the next milestone in its development with the launch of a new Interim Strategic Advisory Board (ISAB), which held its inaugural meeting at the Artelium Wine Estate , East Sussex this week (7 July 2026).
Bringing together influential leaders from across business, government and academia, the board will help guide the AEZ through its next phase to:
- Support transition to a full Strategic Advisory Board, to be formalised following confirmation of Northern Runway funding once works officially commence
- Enable delivery of continued pilot activity, focused on driving regional economic growth across the defined themes of inward investment, international trade and the visitor economy across the Gatwick Region
A new board co-chair was also announced with Julie Kapsalis MBE, the CEO of North East Surrey College of Technology (NESCOT) and Director of Gatwick Diamond Business, being appointed to the role.
Ms Kapsalis has more than 20 years’ experience in economic development and was awarded an MBE in 2026 for her leadership as Chair of Coast to Capital LEP, where she drove major regional investment projects.
Julie Kapsalis, MBE, Interim Strategic Advisory Board co-chair said: “I am very proud to have been appointed as co-chair. I am passionate about the role that this Economic Zone will play in bringing together the public, private, education and third sectors to collaborate on transformational change for our region.
“With the political focus on devolution, it is timely that this economic zone is being driven forward in partnership with multiple local authorities who share our commitment to sustainable economic growth that will achieve positive outcomes for our region, its businesses and residents.
“I would like to thank politicians and officers from Surrey, Croydon, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton and Hove for their engagement and support.”
Ms Kapsalis will lead the board alongside London Gatwick’s Economic and Community Partnerships Manager, Richard Lennard, who said: “The Gatwick Region Airport Economic Zone has now reached an important phase of development ahead of full delivery.
“To support this work, we are really pleased to have appointed representatives to the interim strategic advisory board who bring a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors.
“Coordinated partnership working is key to successfully promoting our region and, importantly, to maximise the opportunities presented by London Gatwick’s global connectivity and our future growth plans”.
The board meeting was followed by a reception to mark its convening where speeches were made by Ms Kapsalis and Sam Fulton, London Gatwick’s Executive Committee member and Director of Communications and External Affairs.
The Artelium Wine Estate venue was selected to showcase the visitor economy and the importance of the thriving wine producing sector in the region, with Sussex vineyards being visited by thousands of tourists from around the world each year.
The interim board takes over from the original taskforce, established in 2024, which played a central role in agreeing the AEZ priorities and shaping its priorities, as well as bringing together representatives from West Sussex, Brighton & Hove, Surrey, Kent and Croydon, alongside key business stakeholders such as Gatwick Diamond Business,
The AEZ is a shared framework to attract investment, boost trade and grow the visitor economy in the region bringing together local authorities, businesses and national partners all aligned behind one ambition – long-term, sustainable regional growth.
This region’s economic base already contributes £165bn per annum to the economy (7% of UK GVA).
- The attached image shows (L-R) Julie Kapsalis MBE, Richard Lennard, Sam Fulton and an event guest
- The members of the Gatwick Region Airport Economic Zone Interim Strategic Advisory Board are:
- Richard Lennard – Economic & Community Partnerships Manager – London Gatwick (Co-Chair)
- Julie Kapsalis MBE, CEO – North East Surrey College of Technology; Director – Gatwick Diamond Business (Co-Chair)
- Mark Rogers, Interim Chief Executive – Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority
- Steve Samson, Head of Economy – Kent County Council
- Tim Ridgway, Strategic Stakeholder Engagement Manager – Surrey County Council
- Sarah Parsons, Director of Planning & Sustainable Regeneration – Croydon Council
- Mardi Roberts, Interim Chair – Sussex & Brighton Local Visitor Economy Partnership; Director – Ridgeview Estate Winery
- Steven Lynch MBE, Director International Trade – British Chambers of Commerce
- John Edwards, Director – Office for Investment
- Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor – University of Brighton
With around 43m annual passengers, London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest and one of Europe’s top airports. It is a vital piece of national infrastructure that drives both the national and regional economies by generating £5.5bn GVA and supporting over 76,000 jobs (2023). More than 60 airlines fly from the airport to over 160 short-haul and more than 50 long-haul destinations. With a declared maximum capacity of 57 movements an hour, London Gatwick is the most efficient single runway airport in the world.
The airport is located 28 miles south of the UK capital and is extremely well-connected, with more than a quarter of England’s population (15m people) – including all of London – less than one hour away by road or rail. A six-year, £2bn sustainable growth programme includes an ambitious plan to be a net zero airport by 2030 and to increase capacity by bringing the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use, alongside its Main Runway. VINCI Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.
VINCI Airports, as the leading private airport operator in the world, manages the development and operation of more than 70 airports located in 14 countries. VINCI Airports draws on its expertise as a comprehensive integrator to develop, finance, build and operate airports, leveraging its investment capability and know-how to optimise operational performance and modernise infrastructure while bringing about their environmental transition. In 2016, VINCI Airports became the first airport operator to commit to an international environmental strategy, setting itself the aim of reaching zero net emissions (scope 1 and 2) across the network by 2050 while supporting the territories’ local climate transition.
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GIP’s scaled platform has over $170bn in assets under management. We believe that our focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with our deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables us to be responsible stewards of our clients’ capital and to create positive economic impact for communities. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com .
