Hertfordshire leaders came together at Westminster on 12 March to launch the county’s Economic Strategy and set out a shared ambition for future growth.
Hosted by Andrew Lewin, MP for Welwyn Hatfield, on behalf of Hertfordshire Growth Board, the reception brought together 100 senior representatives from Government, business, local authorities, education, faith and voluntary organisations to deliver one clear message: Hertfordshire is united behind a long term plan to drive growth, widen opportunity for all and strengthen the county’s contribution to the national economy.
With a £50bn economy, world‑leading innovation assets and a strong track record of delivery, Hertfordshire begins this next chapter from a position of strength. The county is home to Europe’s leading cell and gene therapy cluster in Stevenage; nationally important agri‑tech and clean‑growth institutions; an emerging space and defence cluster centred around Airbus; significant investment in digital infrastructure and data centres; and the second largest film and TV production economy outside London – home to one of Europe’s highest concentrations of major studios.
The Hertfordshire Economic Strategy 2026–2036 sets out a vision for how the county will build on these strengths over the next decade. By 2036, Hertfordshire will be recognised globally as the UK’s innovation heartland – a high value, productive and sustainable economy where businesses and people thrive, and everyone will feel that life is tangibly better.
It focuses on five priorities that will drive future growth: digital adoption and AI; skills and participation; innovation and clean growth; thriving places; and Hertfordshire’s national and international role. Together, these align closely with Government missions on productivity, skills, innovation, net zero and place‑based growth.
It also sets out the scale of Hertfordshire’s ambitions – both what the county can deliver over the next decade and what could be accelerated by 2050 with the right powers to bring forward homes, jobs and infrastructure and drive UK growth at pace.
These ambitions include:
• Growing the economy to £63bn GVA by 2036, rising to £80bn by 2050
• Raising productivity to £85,000 per job
• Increasing priority‑sector employment to 270,000 jobs
• A long‑term ambition for 800,000 jobs and 200,000 new homes by 2050
Cllr Steve Jarvis, Leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Hertfordshire is already one of the largest and most productive local economies in the country, and there is a clear, shared view across our political and business leadership that mayoral devolution will help us unlock our full potential. This evening has demonstrated how much we are already delivering together – and how much more we can achieve with the right tools and levers in place to accelerate growth, improve infrastructure and widen opportunity for every part of the county.”
Baroness Sharon Taylor of Stevenage OBE, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government), reflected on Hertfordshire’s national importance, saying: “Hertfordshire’s strengths speak directly to the national priorities of productivity, innovation, skills and long term growth, with an approach to partnership that is mature, constructive and focused on delivery. What we have witnessed this evening is a place that understands its role in supporting the UK’s wider economic ambitions, and one that is ready to work closely with Government to make them a reality.”
Andrew Lewin, MP for Welwyn Hatfield, said: “We call Hertfordshire the county of opportunity and it’s true for business and residents alike. North of London and south of the Oxford, Cambridge corridor – we are perfectly placed to be at the centre of growth and innovation for decades to come. I congratulate the Hertfordshire Growth Board on their ambitious new strategy and look forward to working with the local and national businesses based in our community to help make it a reality.”
Vi Davda, Managing Director and Global Head of Bond Origination at ABN AMRO and Hertfordshire Futures Board Member said: “Hertfordshire has real economic strength and clear ambition. This Strategy builds on globally significant sectors and gives investors the confidence that the county is focused on long term, sustainable growth.”
Guests also heard about Hertfordshire’s dynamic creative industries, with studios across the county driving growth in film, TV and immersive production, generating skills, employment and supply chain opportunities across Hertfordshire.
Closing the evening, Peter Taylor, Elected Mayor of Watford and Chair of the Hertfordshire Growth Board, welcomed the Strategy as a collective commitment to ensuring that growth, investment and opportunity reach every part of the county – and that with the right tools and flexibility Hertfordshire can deliver growth faster and more fairly for residents and for the country.
Download the: Hertfordshire Economic Strategy Executive Summary and Hertfordshire Economic Strategy 2026-2036
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