Martin Bellamy, Salamanca Group Chairman and CEO shared his insights into Somerset’s growth opportunities resulting from the development of the UK’s largest Gigafactory at the Gravity Smart Campus.
The Q&A session with Martin Bellamy was aired during the ‘Insider Breakfast: Opportunity Somerset’ event hosted at the McMillan Theatre in Bridgwater.
The event was set up for regional businesses to share their insights on the opportunities and challenges for businesses of all sizes in the region and what role SMEs will play in the wider opportunities linked to Hinkley Point and Gravity.
Martin Bellamy discussing on-site works at Gravity: “Works have been ongoing at Gravity since 2019 but have accelerated as a result of the Agratas site purchase, confirmed in early 2024. Major milestones in the development of the gigafactory include the LDO submission for Building 1 and the appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine as the primary contractor. The Gravity site by spring 2025 will begin to transform with the building programme of the gigafactory”.
It was noted by Martin that the opportunities that will result from an automotive manufacturer basing themselves in Somerset instead of the midlands will have a real economic impact along the M5 corridor.
Martin Bellamy reflected on market trends, with major technology companies in the emerging AI sector that could not be ignored in terms of securing future site occupiers, that would sit alongside the gigafactory, furthering the vision of a true ‘smart campus’.
The full Q&A video can be viewed here.
About Salamanca Group
Salamanca Group is a London-based strategic investor focused on identifying and investing in transformational opportunities across real estate, energy, and infrastructure. We drive economic uplift by creating employment hubs for clean growth industries and addressing the critical need for high-quality homes and leisure environments, all with a commitment to generating positive social impact.
We partner closely with governments, industries, and local communities to develop strategic sites that align with our investment themes. Through our vision and expertise, we transform underutilized locations into globally competitive destinations.
Our work ensures that leading global companies are drawn to invest in the UK, establishing economic hubs that deliver sustainable employment for future generations while fostering long-term economic prosperity and growth.