Hammersmith and Fulham Council has launched a new bond initiative aimed at boosting local employment opportunities for young residents.
The H&F Upstream Pathway Bond, part of the wider Upstream London industrial strategy, seeks to create stronger connections between education, skills development, and local job prospects.
The initiative has already attracted significant business investment, with £6.3 billion reportedly invested in the borough since Upstream London's inception, contributing to the creation of over 17,200 new jobs.
Councillor Zarar Qayyum, Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Skills, and Councillor Nikos Souslous, Chair of the Planning and Development Control Committee, put forward a special motion welcoming the bond. They highlighted the commitment of 109 local businesses and 26 schools that have signed up to the Pathway Bond, agreeing to provide opportunities for young people in cutting-edge industries. This initiative is part of the H&F Upstream Pathway Bond, which aims to create stronger, sustainable linkages between education, skills development, and local employment opportunities for young residents.
The motion, passed by the Full Council on January 28, 2026, noted that this initiative builds on existing collaborations with institutions like Imperial College London and Imperial College NHS Trust, as well as the borough's international Cooperative Growth Partners
.
This programme is seen as embodying the values of social democracy, harnessing cooperation between the private and public sectors to open clear pathways from education to rewarding local careers for the borough's young people. The council believes this aligns with its commitment to a strong local economy, skills development, and the long-term prosperity of its residents.
More details on the H&F Upstream Pathway Bond can be found in the Public reports pack 28th-Jan-2026 19.00 Full Council.