The Midlands
The Midlands Engine is at the heart of UK growth. It’s an ambitious economy worth more than 200 billion GBP, generating 13% of Gross Value Added in the UK.
Scotland Northern Ireland North of England Wales Midlands South of England
Expanding your business
Businesses take advantage of the region’s central UK location and international connectivity, high performing universities and a young population driving the need for housing and leisure. In 2017 to 2018 the region attracted inward investment projects that created over 13,000 new jobs - the highest outside London.
Investing capital
The region offers balanced investment opportunities from transport systems to science parks. Toyota, HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Pepsi Co are all major investors. Between the end of 2016 and 2017 nearly a quarter of overseas investment outside of London and the South East came to the Midlands.
Buying goods and services
The Midlands is noted for its agrifood, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. It’s home to the largest number of medical technology and device companies in the country and accounts for over a third of all metal producing businesses in the UK. It supplies world-class food products and services from farm to fork and trawler to table.
Over 200 billion GPB
Gross Value Added economy - the fastest growing outside of London
20 to 24 year olds
largest demographic group
227 million GBP
invested in Birmingham student facilities by Singaporean Investor GIC
10 million
population
100,000+
graduates a year from 20 universities
600,000
homes needed over next 15 years
13 million
passengers handled by Birmingham Airport each year
55 million
tonnes of cargo handled by Port of Grimsby each year
Strategic markets: property and infrastructure
Residential
The demand for high quality student housing in many Midlands cities is exceeding supply and stimulating developments for international investors. The growing young professional population with demand for a work and lifestyle package is driving many of the new major regeneration schemes in core cities such as Birmingham.
Digital infrastructure
In 2018 the West Midlands was selected to become the innovative home to the UK’s first multi-city 5G test bed. Digital infrastructure will gain momentum over the next few years, influencing digital construction and enabling the further development of Smart Cities.
Logistics
The Midlands is the UK’s premier location for logistics and distribution operations with the region offering attractive investment opportunities. The East Midlands logistics market had the best take-up in 2018 with 8.92 million square feet of space transacted, more than double that in 2017.
Speak to us
Contact our expert team in China to learn more about how DIT can support your business.