Hackney Wick & Fish Island Community Development Trust

Alex Russell has helped set up and scale the Hackney Wick & Fish Island Community Development Trust to deliver impact through better use of land and space, establishing a circular economy strategy, mapping ownership of all landholdings in the LLDC area, and implementing a strategy for acquiring underused land.

The CDT now has an established Board and is a designated legacy vehicle for the Hackney Wick & Fish Island Creative Enterprise Zone to enhance creative industry in the area. The CDT has secured several benefits for Hackney Wick: High Streets for All funding from the Greater London Authority; a 20,000 sqft meanwhile site for a circular economy hub through UCL and LLDC; option on a permanent space for circular economy activities through LB Hackney; and strategic partnerships with Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and LLDC, giving the community influence on masterplanning and funding as well as access to private sector developers.