DP World, a leading provider of global end-to-end supply chain solutions, today announces it will distribute up to £15 million to community projects in the Thames Estuary region.

DP World is entering into agreements with its new occupants at London Gateway Logistics Park – part of the Thames Freeport tax zone – to fund a joint levy that will be distributed to promote community projects, social infrastructure and skills training in the area. The sum raised is expected to amount to £15 million over five years.

The logistics business is currently engaging with the community to identify suitable projects, and those selected will include community initiatives, social infrastructure and skills and education programmes in conjunction with schools and colleges.

Alan Shaoul, UK Chief Financial Officer at DP World, said: “DP World exists to make the world’s trade flow better, changing what’s possible for the customers and the communities we serve globally. Depending on how many new businesses move to London Gateway, we believe the total amount raised will be in the region of £15 million over the next five years. We aim to invest the funds in projects which support the economic regeneration of the Thames Estuary, Thurrock and neighbouring boroughs.”

“For ten years DP World in the UK has been supporting local causes such as Little Haven’s Hospice, Meningitis Now, the South Essex Wildlife Hospital and STEM teaching for South Essex schoolchildren, as well as our award-winning apprenticeship scheme. We are excited that this fund will allow us to increase our level of community investment significantly while helping to address longstanding skills challenges. We shall be looking to partner with around a dozen projects which will make a real difference to local people’s lives,” Shaoul said.

DP World’s logistics hub at London Gateway is a central pillar of Thames Freeport, a new economic zone at the heart of Europe’s biggest consumer market. It connects London Gateway with the Port of Tilbury and Ford’s world-class engine plant at Dagenham.

Over the last decade, DP World has invested £2 billion in the UK and over the next ten years has earmarked a further £1 billion of investment, including a £350 million new fourth berth at London Gateway, which will raise capacity by a third when it is completed next year. This investment is a catalyst for the regeneration of some of the most deprived areas in the UK. The construction of the new fourth berth supports 1,000 jobs, and the rapidly growing logistics park will employ 12,000 people when it is completed in five years.

Individuals supporting a community project which they would like to put forward for consideration for the fund should email [email protected]