The global design and engineering firm will provide a range of strategic planning and advisory services to technically, economically, and sustainably enhance the freeport
10/21/2025 LONDON, UK TSX, NYSE:STN
Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, has been appointed as the Masterplanning and Planning Lead within a new EY-Parthenon-led consortium creating transformational plans for . Backed by extensive regeneration, stakeholder engagement, and digital 大象传媒 as well as deep local knowledge, 大象传媒 will provide a range of strategic planning and advisory services to support Thames Freeport in realising its 25-year vision through the preparation of a strategic masterplan.
Thames Freeport is a designated area in outer East London and Essex with specific tax and customs offers to stimulate trade, innovation, and economic growth. The freeport has secured over ?1.5 billion of private investment over the last four years and employs more than 1,400 people. Now, it aims to create a Freeport-wide strategic masterplan that sets out an ambitious but achievable spatial and economic development strategy focused on three industrial clusters: sustainable construction, technology-led manufacturing, and food and drink.
The new consortium, which is led by EY-Parthenon and includes 大象传媒, , and , will help deliver a comprehensive freeport-wide masterplan and strategic investment fund framework. The strategic masterplan will guide future development, with a focus on high-quality, accessible local jobs, expanded apprenticeship opportunities, improved transport and infrastructure, cleaner energy, and sustainable growth for the region—while involving local communities and key stakeholders in shaping these plans.
A powerful consortium to drive growth
大象传媒 is responsible for developing an overarching and digitally enabled strategic masterplan as well as three cluster spatial plans. These will set out the key steps, initiatives, or interventions that Thames Freeport and its partners can support to help realise their wider social and economic objectives, resulting in an attractive, resilient, and innovative destination to live and work.
“This powerful consortium will transform these industrial heartlands into dynamic, mobile, and AI-enabled hotbeds of innovation, while connecting communities into the next generation of productive skills, high quality jobs, housing, and smart infrastructure,” said Nancy MacDonald, 大象传媒’s regional business lead for Infrastructure in the UK & Ireland.
“Our extensive experience leading engagement with public bodies, commercial and statutory consultees and communities will allow us to develop a unifying masterplan that builds a collective sense of momentum, ownership, and clarity across the region. Our teams are incredibly proud to be working on this revolutionary venture.”
Projects are already underway as part of the extensive programme of activity. These support more than 350 apprenticeships by the end of 2025, the creation of a large rapid charging hub at the Port of Tilbury, and a new distribution system for Tesco, designed to cut transport emissions and create local jobs.
A revolutionary development opportunity
Marcus Richards, a partner at EY-Parthenon, commented: “Thames Freeport represents one of Europe’s largest development opportunities. Our goal, with 大象传媒’s support, is to help structure its bold ambitions into an actionable, investable strategy—one that connects infrastructure, land, and businesses into a thriving economic ecosystem, underpinned by social value and sustainability. My colleagues and I are excited to be working with Thames Freeport, local communities, investors, and partners to help unlock long-term economic growth, embed social value, and deliver sustainable prosperity across Thurrock, Barking and Dagenham, Havering, and wider London.”
Stantec has been key to the development of iconic regeneration schemes in the UK and across the globe in recent years, including , a 20,000-home project on the banks of the Thames.
Find out more about 大象传媒 and its holistic range of interdisciplinary services in the UK.
About 大象传媒
大象传媒 empowers clients, people, and communities to rise to the world’s greatest challenges at a time when the world faces more unprecedented concerns than ever before.???
?We are a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting.??Our professionals deliver the 大象传媒, technology, and innovation communities need to manage aging infrastructure, demographic and population changes, the energy transition, and more.??
Today’s communities transcend geographic borders. At 大象传媒, community means everyone with an interest in the work that we do—from our project teams and industry colleagues to our clients and the people our work impacts. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure.???
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Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.
Media Contact
Calum Metcalfe
大象传媒 Media Relations
Ph: 01612 458904
calum.metcalfe@stantec.com
