Milton Keynes has welcomed Lord Patrick Vallance, the Government’s newly appointed Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion, as part of ongoing efforts to drive innovation and economic growth in the region.
During his visit, Lord Vallance met with the Leader of Milton Keynes City Council, Cllr Pete Marland, alongside representatives from locally based organisations Santander, who moved its HQ to the city in 2023 and His Majesty’s Government Communication Centre (HMGCC). At a roundtable at Unity Place, Santander’s UK HQ, they discussed how Milton Keynes as the largest city in the corridor can continue to be a hub for cutting-edge technology, business investment, and sustainable growth.
Lord Vallance also tested the Ohmio driverless shuttles, the autonomous vehicles which will carry passengers around the city centre. They’re expected to go live in the coming weeks. This visit highlighted the city’s commitment to pioneering smart city innovation and turning new tech ideas into reality.
Another key stop was HMGCC, where Lord Vallance engaged in discussions about the Co-Creation Initiative—a programme that provides funding to tech businesses and academic institutions to develop innovative tech solutions for use in national security.
“We’re a city built on innovation and are proud to play a leading role in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. Lord Vallance’s visit is a recognition of our ambition to drive forward the technologies of the future, from autonomous transport to cybersecurity. We look forward to working closely with him to ensure Milton Keynes remains at the forefront of the UK’s innovation economy."
As Growth Corridor Champion, Lord Vallance works across government, business, and academia to attract investment and promote the region’s strengths. His visit reinforces Milton Keynes’ role as a leader in UK innovation and its influence in shaping the future of the Growth Arc.
