Kate Willard OBE is on a mission to transform the Thames Estuary region of north Kent, south Essex and east London. She’s doing this in her roles as chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board and the Thames Estuary envoy.

Through a programme of regeneration and infrastructure development, the Growth Board hopes to boost the economies of the 17 different local authorities included in the Thames Estuary, as part of a ‘Green Blue Action Plan’.

In this episode of the Building the Future podcast, Justin Sullivan FRICS, RICS Senior Vice President, meets Willard to discuss the work she is doing.

“Infrastructure is only one piece of the story – it needs to be complemented by things like skills, education policy and industrial plans,” says Willard. “But without good infrastructure these things all become much harder.”

As well as infrastructure, they also talk about biodiversity in the estuary, the role of hydrogen in greener transport and other coastal regions in the world facing similar challenges. Willard also highlights the importance of listening to local residents to get a better understanding of what it is an area really needs to succeed.