Imperial College London and the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC)) have entered a major strategic partnership
aimed at transforming West London into a globally competitive hub for innovation, research, and inclusive economic growth.
The agreement brings together two of the region’s most influential anchor institutions: OPDC, the Mayoral Development Corporation responsible for the 650-hectare Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area spanning Brent, Ealing and Hammersmith & Fulham; and Imperial College London, one of the world’s leading science and engineering universities.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared ambition to accelerate the development of Old Oak into a high-growth innovation district that attracts global investment, supports cutting-edge research, and generates long-term economic opportunity for local communities.
Building a world-class innovation district
Imperial College London already holds a significant presence in the Old Oak area, with more than 17 acres of land ownership and long-term investment plans. The Old Oak Innovation Cluster is also a core pillar of WestTech London, the wider regional initiative led by Imperial to unlock West London’s innovation ecosystem.
The new collaboration with OPDC will focus on strengthening this emerging cluster and ensuring it develops into a globally recognised centre for entrepreneurship, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and deep technology.
Both organisations will work to harness the area’s research strengths, transport connectivity, and industrial heritage to create an environment where high-growth companies can scale.
Key objectives of the partnership
Under the new agreement, OPDC and Imperial will collaborate across four major strategic priorities:
- Expanding the Innovation Economy
The partners aim to grow a knowledge-intensive business ecosystem at Old Oak, supporting start-ups, scale-ups, and global firms in sectors such as life sciences, engineering, and advanced manufacturing. - Delivering Inclusive Regeneration
A key focus will be on creating vibrant new neighbourhoods through high-quality urban design and regeneration, ensuring that new housing, employment opportunities, and public spaces benefit existing and future communities. - Strengthening Skills and Talent Pipelines
The partnership will invest in skills development and workforce programmes to prepare local residents for jobs in future-facing industries, helping bridge gaps between education and employment. - Enhancing West London’s University Ecosystem
The collaboration will deepen links between West London’s universities and research institutions, reinforcing the region as a leading higher education and innovation cluster.
£10 billion regeneration opportunity
The partnership coincides with OPDC’s launch of procurement for its flagship Old Oak regeneration scheme—a 70-acre public land development with an estimated value of around £10 billion.
The masterplan includes:
8,000 new homes
20 acres of public realm
6 acres of green space
Up to 200,000 square metres of commercial and community space
At the centre of the transformation is Old Oak Common station, one of the UK’s most significant new transport interchanges, connecting HS2, the Elizabeth line, the Great Western Main Line, and Heathrow Express services.
This connectivity will link Old Oak directly with major innovation hubs including Euston, Birmingham Innovation Quarter, Oxford, and the Barts Life Sciences campus—creating a fast-growing network of research and commercial collaboration across the UK.
Expanding industrial and scientific infrastructure
Imperial continues to expand its physical footprint in Old Oak, reinforcing its role as a long-term investor in the area’s transformation.
Recent developments include the opening of Grapht Works, a 9.6-acre advanced manufacturing hub designed to support prototyping, pilot manufacturing, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production for scaling companies.
In addition, 1 Portal Way is set to open in summer 2026, offering 55,000 sq ft of fitted laboratory and office space aimed at fast-growing science and technology firms.
These developments are intended to provide critical infrastructure for companies moving from early-stage innovation to industrial-scale production.
A Wider West London innovation ecosystem
The partnership also strengthens the role of WestTech London as a coordinating force across the region’s innovation landscape.
Led by Imperial College London, WestTech London connects multiple established clusters, including Albertopolis, Paddington Life Sciences, White City Innovation District, and the emerging Old Oak Innovation Cluster.
It also links wider innovation zones such as Earls Court, led by the Earls Court Development Company, creating a connected ecosystem spanning life sciences, health innovation, engineering, and digital technology.
A long-term vision for growth
Together, OPDC and Imperial aim to position Old Oak as a flagship example of how universities, public sector leadership, and private investment can combine to deliver large-scale, innovation-led regeneration.
The partnership signals a long-term commitment to building a globally competitive innovation district that not only attracts international capital but also ensures that growth delivers tangible benefits for West London communities. Photo by mattbuck, Wikimedia commons.
