How long-term investment is helping shape East London's future

When people think about pension savings, they don't always think about robotics research, cultural innovation, or start-up businesses. Yet developments like Here East demonstrate how long-term investment can support endeavors like these while continuing to deliver the financial returns needed to meet pension promises.

Built on the foundations of the former Olympic Press and Broadcast Centre, the campus has evolved into a thriving destination where universities, technology businesses, researchers, entrepreneurs and cultural organisations come together in one place. Today, around 6,500 people work and study on site, and Here East has helped create more than 10,300 jobs over the past decade. 

The project shows how long-term capital can help deliver both financial returns and real-world impact. L&G provided a £200 million refinancing arrangement, Delancey led the development of the campus, and the Here East team continues to bring the vision to life. We spoke to leaders from all three organisations about what makes Here East unique, and what it tells us about the role of investment in creating thriving communities. 

Gareth, what does Here East demonstrate about the role pension capital can play in the real economy? 

Gareth Mee, CEO of Institutional Retirement, L&G: At L&G, our responsibility is to invest pension savings in assets that can deliver long-term returns while helping us meet the promises we've made to pension members. Here East is a powerful example of that in action. Around 95% of the investment in the project came from Institutional Retirement capital, creating a direct connection between pension savings and investment in the real economy.

This is an investment that supports jobs, education, innovation and economic activity across the UK while helping generate long-term value. It reminds us that pension savings don't simply sit in financial markets. They can also help create opportunities for communities and future generations.

Gavin, what was the vision behind Here East?

Gavin Poole, CEO, Here East: The ambition from the outset was to build something with a lasting purpose: a place where education, business, creativity and innovation could come together long after the Olympic Games had ended.

More than a decade later, that vision has become a reality. What was once a temporary Olympic venue is now a thriving destination attracting world-leading universities, innovative businesses and cultural organisations. The campus has played an important role in establishing East London as a centre for innovation and creativity, while demonstrating how regeneration can create lasting economic and social value.

Jamie, what does it take to turn a project like Here East from a vision into a long-term success?

Jamie Ritblat, Founder and Executive Chairman, Delancey: When Delancey first set out to transform the former Olympic Press and Broadcast Centre, we knew this would be a project measured in decades, not years. Creating a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Games required patience, a long-term mindset and partners who shared our belief that successful regeneration should deliver both strong financial outcomes and meaningful benefits for communities.

That's why L&G was such a natural partner. We share a conviction that investment can be a force for positive change in the long-term. Projects like Here East demonstrate what can be achieved when investors and developers are aligned around a shared vision. By combining long-term capital with long-term ambition, it is possible to create places that generate sustainable value for investors while leaving a lasting social and economic legacy.

Why did L&G choose to invest in Here East?

Nicholas Bamber, Global Director of Private Credit, L&G: There were two things that stood out immediately. The first was Delancey's strong track record of delivering and managing successful regeneration projects. The second was the uniqueness of the campus itself. There are very few places that successfully combine education, technology, innovation and culture in a single location.

From an investment perspective, Here East benefits from both high-quality occupiers and a clear long-term vision. Organisations such as UCL and Loughborough University provide stability, while the wider ecosystem of businesses, researchers and entrepreneurs creates opportunities for growth and innovation. 

How does Here East fit into the wider regeneration story of East London?

Anette Simpson, Director of Development and Partnerships, L&G Affordable Homes: Successful regeneration is about much more than a single development. Thriving communities need places where people can live, work, learn and connect. Here East demonstrates the importance of creating opportunities for innovation, education and employment, but those opportunities are strongest when they sit alongside housing, infrastructure and public spaces.

That is why Here East forms part of a much broader East London story. Just a short distance away on International Way, L&G forward-funded the £150 million Rondo Stratford development, helping to meet the area's growing housing needs. Rondo Stratford comprises 380 homes, including 133 affordable homes, 79 of which were acquired by L&G Affordable Homes, supporting Stratford's continued transformation into one of London's most dynamic neighbourhoods. Together, these types of investments show how regeneration is most effective when homes, jobs, education and infrastructure are developed alongside one another.

Creating lasting value

The story of Here East shows what can happen when long-term thinking, partnership and investment come together. More than a decade after London 2012, the campus continues to create opportunities for people, businesses and communities, helping to strengthen East London's position as a centre for innovation, education and entrepreneurship.

For pension members, it brings to life a powerful connection: today's savings helping to create tomorrow's opportunities. By investing for the long term, pension capital can support projects that deliver financial security while making a tangible difference in the real world.