The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Build It and We Will Come

28 July 2016 | Updated 01 January 1970
 

A top UK investor has apparently told the new Prime Minister 'green light' Heathrow and we will help you build your vision for a better Britain.

In partnership with six of the world’s top investors, USS has committed a £16 billion private stimulus package to help expand Heathrow and generate growth around Britain.

The airport, which is clearly in favour of the plans, says a Heathrow expansion will leave a legacy of skills and prosperity, create 180,000 new jobs across the country and boost investor confidence in the UK

USS wrote to Minister Theresa last week and reiterated the shareholders’ pledge if the Government gives the go-ahead to Heathrow expansion. Heathrow’s shareholders together control over $1 trillion in fund.

Last year, the Government’s independent Airports Commission gave said expanding Heathrow would create up to 180,000 new jobs, over 100,000 of which will be outside the South-East. Heathrow has committed to create 10,000 apprenticeships for young people.

The Commission also set out tough conditions to expansion, including restrictions on night flights and controls on air pollution and noise.  Last month, Heathrow accepted those conditions in full.

Commenting on the letter, Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye said: “As USS state in the letter, the Prime Minister can send the strongest signal to the world that Britain is a confident, outward-looking nation that is open for business by expanding the UK’s biggest port and global gateway, Heathrow.

“At a time of uncertainty, a £16 billion privately-funded infrastructure investment will create jobs and growth across the UK.”

 

The full letter from USS is copied below

 

Dear Prime Minister,

USS, the Universities Superannuation Scheme, is the largest UK pension fund by assets and we provide retirement income to 330,000 members, who have given, or are giving, decades of service to Britain’s higher education institutions.

Together with some of the world's largest investment funds, with over 1 trillion dollars of funds under management, we are the owners of Heathrow.  It is the UK's biggest port, handling over a quarter of Britain's exports and connecting every region of Britain to over 80 long haul markets all over the world.

We want to reiterate our commitment to Heathrow and our commitment to Britain. For us, investment is not a one-off transaction.  Under the stewardship of the ownership consortium, Heathrow has been transformed, with private investment of more than £11bn over the last decade.  It is now a world class airport that Britain can be proud of, and is regularly rated by passengers as the best airport in Western Europe.

Alongside our investment partners from Canada, China, Qatar, Singapore, Spain, and the USA, we stand ready to invest £16bn of private money into expanding Heathrow.  Heathrow will once more be the best connected airport in the world, allowing Britain to succeed as one of the world's leading trading nations.

Heathrow expansion will create thousands of jobs all across Britain both while it is under construction and once it is operational.  We have committed to locating four supply chain hubs in different parts of the country to support growth and to develop our majority British supply chain, increasing access for smaller firms across the country. 10,000 apprenticeships will be created leaving a legacy of skills and helping to eradicate youth unemployment in Heathrow’s local area.

New air and rail links will ensure all of Britain can benefit from having the world’s best connected airport on this island, with the Airports Commission confirming that the majority of the 180,000 jobs created will be outside London and the South East.

Heathrow expansion is a ready to go project, which will create jobs as soon as it gets approval from government.  It has the backing of local people and UK regions, from MPs and council leaders across the different parties, from business and unions, from airlines and investors.  We have accepted the conditions set by the Airports Commission, including meeting tough air quality and noise standards.

It is over a year now since the government’s own Airports Commission recommended Heathrow expansion, and investors around the world have been waiting to see that the UK Government is serious about its national infrastructure plans. Approving Heathrow expansion will send the strongest possible signal that Britain is a confident, outward looking nation that is open for business.

Let us help you to deliver your positive vision for the future of Britain.

Yours, Bill Galvin, Group Chief Executive Officer Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited

Roger Gray, Chief Investment Officer Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited

Picture: In the first poll of MPs since the Brexit vote in June, 76% of Parliamentarians agree that an expanded Heathrow is important to keep Britain connected. It is said to demonstrate continued cross-party majority support for an expanded Heathrow

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 28 July 2016

Share


Related Tags


Related Articles

Mecsia Receives Investment to Support Growth Strategy

M&E specialist Mecsia has secured investment to expand its services and make more strategic acquisitions. The maintenance services company was formed in 2020 after...

 Read Full Article
Investment Firm Sells Stake in Pareto FM

NVM Private Equity has sold its stake in Pareto FM, with the facilities services company announcing a new investor partnership from Pictet Alternative Advisors. NWM...

 Read Full Article
Joblogic Receives £60m Investment from Axiom Equity

Cloud-based field service management software company Joblogic has announced a major investment from Axiom Equity. The investment is in the region of £60 million...

 Read Full Article
Clean Growth Fund Leads £4.5m Investment in measurable.energy

Award-winning UK start-up measurable.energy designs and manufactures smart, machine learning-enabled power sockets to reduce the energy costs of commercial buildings by...

 Read Full Article
BigChange Receives Investment from Great Hill Partners

Mobile workforce management company BigChange has raised £75 million of investment from Great Hill Partners. The software-as-a-service company, founded in 2013,...

 Read Full Article
Churchill Group Confirms Investment From ESO Capital Partners

Churchill Group, one of the largest independently-owned soft service providers in the UK has confirmed that it has received investment from ESO Capital Partners UK...

 Read Full Article
Research Says Sustainable Buildings Will Bring Investors Tangible Financial Benefits

The latest research from professional services firm JLL suggests that investing in sustainable offices in central London will return “tangible financial...

 Read Full Article
Refusing to Fly – Heathrow Third Runway Shot Down Again

Plans to build the first full-length runway in the South-East since the second world war have hit the buffers once again.   It is nearly 18 years since a...

 Read Full Article
Arcus Secures Strategic Investment From ESO Capital

FM company Arcus will become independent from Sainsbury’s, whilst continuing to provide FM services for its longest-serving client.  This new investment is...

 Read Full Article
Security Worker Arrested For White Christmas Plot

An airport security worker is among three people charged in connection with an attempt to smuggle cocaine worth more than £2 million into the UK via Heathrow...

 Read Full Article