The V&A’s presence at Here East marks a move from exploring innovation in theory to building the physical spaces where it happens. The V&A East Storehouse has created a cultural hub where conservation, collections and public engagement sit side by side, enabling new forms of collaboration and experimentation.

Their decision to come to Here East reflects a wider ambition to work differently and connect with new communities. The campus offered the flexibility and creative ecosystem that could support this next chapter and position the V&A within the evolving story of East London as a centre for cultural production.

Here East were proud to host Conrad Shawcross’ latest monumental kinetic sculpture, The Nervous System (Umbilical), his most ambitious work to date. Displayed in Studio 10, the piece stood at an extraordinary 10 metres in height and stretched 12 metres in diameter. Its forty interlocking mechanical arms moved in a continuous, never-repeating orbit, weaving a single rope in a mesmerising sequence that felt both mechanical and organic.

The installation became a striking presence on campus, drawing visitors, collaborators and curious neighbours into its quiet, hypnotic motion. After its time at Here East, the artwork has now been shipped to MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania, where its journey continues on an international stage.

As SXSW London arrived in the capital for the first time, East London became the focus of global attention, and Here East helped amplify that moment. During the festival’s debut, Here East and LMA hosted the “It All Starts Here” event, giving local talent and students the opportunity to share the stage with a wider creative and cultural presence. The event captured the spirit of the area, where hyper-local creativity meets global curiosity, and where East London’s cultural identity continues to gain visibility and momentum.

Here East sits within this shift as both a contributor and a platform. Its connection to the ideas and conversations happening around SXSW reflects the campus’s broader reach, where academic institutions, startups, creators and cultural organisations engage with audiences far beyond the local community.

Today, we are not just a campus, but part of a wider historic community and innovation district on the Olympic Park. It is a collaborative ecosystem that not only includes the incredible businesses that start and scale at Here East, but partners across the park, East Bank, including the London College of Fashion, V&A East, UCL East, Sadler’s Wells East and BBC Music Studios.

As a collective, we have a shared responsibility to make East London an economic success. Here East is central to that, having contributed £700 million of GVA towards GDP by 2021. It is a figure that continues to increase today as we expand our global reach, with 6,500 people now working or studying across the campus. But ours is not only a story of economic growth. It is a story of transformative academic research, new businesses starting and scaling, and international companies choosing this part of the capital to invest in and grow in. Being a driver of that activity across the Olympic Park is incredibly exciting and a true testament to the global reach that we have built and the global impact we continue to have.

Our global impact is driven not only by our own efforts but also by the accomplishments of our tenants. This report is an annual celebration of their achievements and the various ways they contribute positively to the community. Watch our tenant spotlight films below.

The past year at Here East has been a period of remarkable progress and innovation. In both physical and virtual spaces, we've achieved significant milestones that reflect our commitment to growth and impact. From the launch of our virtual twin, to our continued efforts in education, employment, and empowerment through our partnerships and scholarship program, we have made substantial strides. Additionally, our return to SXSW in Austin, Texas, underscores our global influence, while our tenants continue to expand their footprint both at Here East and around the world.

To position ourselves for the future, we need to continue to push boundaries in new areas – not least by continuing to embrace the opportunities of emerging technologies, such as AI and the metaverse. Our ‘Future Talks’ series has explored their potential global impact on our society, the future of cities, the entertainment industry and much more, certifying Here East’s reputation as a thought leader on how the world is changing.

Education and talent development remain at the heart of Here East’s impact. Over the past year, the campus has strengthened its role as a bridge between learning and industry, creating clearer pathways from education into meaningful careers. From expanding the Here East Scholarship Programme and welcoming Teesside University London, to delivering hands on school initiatives like Tech Star and Tech Master, the focus has been on widening access and inspiring the next generation of innovators. By connecting students directly with businesses, mentors and real world experiences, Here East continues to nurture diverse talent, support local communities and build a sustainable pipeline for the industries of tomorrow.

This year has seen Here East deepen its commitment to innovation, exploring how emerging technologies can transform industries, connect communities and expand access beyond physical space. From hosting global conversations on the future of the Metaverse to launching a pioneering virtual twin of the campus, Here East continues to push the boundaries of what an innovation ecosystem can be.

Over the past decade, Here East has grown into a powerful driver of economic growth, innovation and opportunity across East London and beyond. Independent analysis by Oxford Economics highlights the scale of this impact, from thousands of jobs supported across the UK to significant contributions to wages, productivity and local investment. With more than 5,000 people working and studying on campus and technology playing a leading role in its success, Here East has become more than a place to work. It is an ecosystem where collaboration fuels business growth, education creates new pathways and long-term regeneration delivers meaningful benefits for surrounding communities.

Here East’s long-standing commitment to social impact has been recognised nationally, with the campus named best in the commercial category at the Grand Final of the National RICS Social Impact Awards 2020, reflecting its positive and transformational role within the built environment and local community. In response to the challenges facing local communities during the pandemic, Here East and its tenants also mobilised quickly to provide practical support where it was needed most. From delivering food parcels and assisting hospitals to supporting schools and vulnerable families, the campus demonstrated how a collaborative ecosystem can make a real difference beyond its walls.

As one of the fastest growing sectors on campus, esports has become a key part of Here East’s wider focus on future industries, bringing together education, business and innovation to shape new career pathways. Through partnerships with universities, startups and global gaming companies, the campus has helped position London as a hub for esports activity while supporting students with industry-led learning, mentoring and real world collaboration. From developing new degree programmes to hosting sector leaders and collaborative projects, the work taking place at Here East reflects how esports is evolving beyond entertainment to drive skills development, entrepreneurship and the next generation of digital talent.

Mobility innovation has become a central part of Here East’s vision to support emerging industries that address real world challenges. By bringing together startups, global partners and research institutions, the campus has created a collaborative environment where new transport technologies and smart mobility solutions can be tested and developed. From attracting pioneering companies working at the forefront of electric and micro mobility to fostering cross sector partnerships, this work reflects a wider ambition to shape how people move, connect and live in more sustainable and connected cities.