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).