The government’s decision to restructure Surrey into two unitary authorities, West Surrey and East Surrey, along with a new strategic mayoral authority, sets the stage for a more agile and responsive local government. For businesses, this is a real opportunity to reset and strengthen relationships between local government and the business community. The new authorities will have the autonomy to shape their own economic agendas, but they will need to do so in partnership with the private, public and third sectors.
Implications for businesses
Surrey’s reorganisation will reshape how businesses interact with local government. It should, in theory, create clearer lines of accountability and more direct routes for engagement. Businesses should expect greater consistency in service delivery and more strategic coordination across transport, infrastructure and planning.
The shift will also bring new expectations. Councils will need to be more responsive to local economic needs and more proactive in supporting growth. That means:
- A stronger focus on place-based investment
- More targeted support for SMEs and start-ups
- Clearer opportunities for collaboration on regeneration and inward investment
Surrey’s economy is well-positioned to benefit. It leads in high-value sectors like space technology, veterinary science, pharmaceuticals and creative industries. However, the rates of new business start-ups are below the national average, and many skilled workers commute out of the county due to limited local opportunities.
Surrey’s reorganisation presents a pivotal moment for businesses and the new authorities to work together to create the conditions for businesses to start, scale and stay. This will include improving access to finance, strengthening local supply chains and investing in the infrastructure that underpins growth. With the expansion of Gatwick Airport in place, Surrey, as the neighbouring region, could take this opportunity and attract more national and global business opportunities.
What comes next
Local government reorganisation and devolution gives Surrey a chance to rethink how local and regional government supports economic growth. With new councils and a strategic mayoral authority soon to be in place, there’s an opportunity to build a more joined-up approach to planning, investment and delivery.
For businesses, the implications are real. A clearer structure should make it easier to engage with decision-makers, influence local priorities and access support. But it also raises expectations. Councils will need to be more responsive, more consistent and more focused on outcomes that matter to employers.
The challenge will be turning ambition into action. That means understanding the strengths and pressures across different parts of the county, investing in the right infrastructure and businesses and creating more high quality job opportunities for local residents. It also means creating space for collaboration, where public and private sectors work together to shape the future. Coast to Capital has supported Surrey authorities through changing political, economic and social environment. Through our work on public transport studies, leisure strategies, and economic impact analysis for diverse sectors in Surrey, we recognise that having strong support for businesses, and building a strong economy is the key to thrive and stay competitive under changing environments. Our legacy and experience as a local enterprise partnership (LEP), our investment and our ambition for the region facilitate the necessary support for the regional economy.
This is a moment to reset. Local government will be changing the way it operates and how it partners with business to drive growth that’s inclusive, resilient and built to last.
At Coast to Capital, we adopt a forward-looking mindset, an innovative and sustainable approach to identifying and unlocking economic potentials for our clients and partners across different stages, from planning for investment and economic research to project delivery. We look forward to continuing to bring our local knowledge and expertise to new local authorities, businesses and other stakeholders in Surrey.
