(Photo: Parliamentarians show their support for the new APPG for the Southeast & the Gatwick Diamond Gateway: (Left to Right) Geri Silverstone – of Silverstone Communications, Mims Davies MP for East Grinstead, Uckfield and villages & APPG Co-Chair, Peter Lamb MP for Crawley, Natasha Irons MP for Croydon East & APPG Co-Chair, Richard Holden MP, Shadow Transport Secretary)
The Gatwick Diamond has long been one of the UK’s quiet economic powerhouses. Home to globally connected businesses, advanced manufacturing, aviation, professional services and a fast-growing visitor economy, the region plays a significant role in the UK economy. Yet until now, it has lacked a formal, co-ordinated voice in Westminster.
That has changed with a high-profile parliamentary reception at the House of Commons, themed Celebrating the Region, which marked the official launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Gatwick Diamond.
The event brought together cross-party MPs, council leaders, business figures, and community representatives from across the region, spanning parts of Kent, Surrey and Sussex, including Crawley, Reigate, Horsham, and Gatwick Airport. The event showed that the region is ready to be heard, and it has a strong case to make.
What the APPG Is For – and Why It Matters
Formally registered last year, the APPG provides a new parliamentary forum focused on the Gatwick Diamond’s economic, infrastructure and social priorities. Crucially, it is cross party by design, reflecting the region’s ambition to work constructively with whichever government is in power.
The group has been established through a partnership between Invest in the Gatwick Diamond and Gatwick Diamond Business, with Silverstone Communications acting as secretariat.
At a time when economic growth, infrastructure delivery and skills shortages dominate the national agenda, the APPG aims to ensure that the Gatwick Diamond is not treated as an afterthought. Instead, it seeks to position the region as a practical example of how targeted investment can unlock growth at pace.
Transport, Skills and Investment on the Agenda
The launch event marked the first step in a year long programme of activity. Over the coming months, the APPG will host regional roundtables on transport and skills, convene discussions on tourism and inward investment, and take the region’s message to national platforms including UKREiiF and the main party conferences.
The programme is designed to highlight the Diamond’s success is closely tied to its connectivity and workforce. Transport networks support more than 100,000 high quality jobs and underpin an estimated £11 billion in supply chain activity. When those networks work well, the benefits ripple far beyond the South East.
Cross Party Leadership from Day One
Among the speakers at the reception were the APPG’s Co Chairs, Mims Davies MP, and Natasha Irons MP, who both emphasised the importance of collaboration across party lines.
As MP for Croydon East, Irons framed long term transport funding as a national economic issue rather than a regional plea. She described sustained investment as “a pro-growth move” and “an investment in the UK’s economic prosperity”, arguing that the South East must be fully part of the national growth conversation if government ambitions are to be realised.
As MP for East Grinstead and Uckfield, Davies echoed the point, highlighting the opportunity that exists if the right conditions are put in place. “With the right skills, infrastructure and investment we can unlock our full potential in the region,” she said.
A Collective Voice at the Right Level
Chief Executive and Founder of Silverstone Communications, Geri Silverstone described the APPG as a long overdue mechanism for coordination and influence.
“This was the start of something the region has needed for a long time – a collective voice in Parliament that brings together the right people, at the right level, to move things forward,” she said. “We are delighted to have been selected as the APPG’s secretariat.”
As government looks to drive growth, improve productivity and deliver infrastructure more effectively, the Gatwick Diamond APPG is positioning itself as a practical partner in that effort. For a region that already delivers at scale, the challenge now is making sure its contribution is recognised and supported at the heart of Westminster.