Search

The Midlands

Nottingham tram

4.7m

People employed in Midlands

£115bn

Economic output

1/3

Of all UK energy jobs

760

MedTech companies

22%

Of all UK exports

At the heart of the country

The Midlands is at the heart of the UK, with a population of more than 11 million, creating £222 billion Gross Value Added – more than 14% of the total for the UK. It is also a high-export economy, with exports worth more than any other region in the UK – £49 billion annually, 17% of the UK total.

The region is at the heart of UK manufacturing and advanced engineering, accounting for 20% of UK manufacturing output through world leading business and industry like Alstom, Bombardier, Jaguar Land Rover, JCB, National Grid, Rolls-Royce, Tarmac and Toyota UK.

The unique expertise in the region spans global high-value sectors; from world-class automotive and aerospace engineering, to renewable energy, medical and agricultural technologies and beyond. It also has real pedigree in the arts, from the heritage of Shakespeare to world-leading cultural centres.

Alec Cameron smallBringing together the expertise of our universities and regional partners means that we can tackle some of the biggest issues facing the UK and globally.

Professor Alec Cameron, Chair of Midlands Innovation and Vice-Chancellor of Aston University

Bringing together expertise

Working in partnership, we can create new growth opportunities and exploit existing ones, within and between our institutions, with government and with business and communities locally and beyond.

Our ambition is to grow as a global hub for research and innovation, attracting investment, creating jobs and increasing productivity to power an Engine for Growth in the Midlands and across the world.

A Midlands wide partnership

The Midlands is one of the most dynamic areas in the UK. Located at the heart of a connected transport network, it has close proximity to London and access to 75% of the UK within 2 hours.

We are working with regional partners in our Local Authorities, LEPs, the West Midlands Combined Authority and the Midlands Engine for Growth to build projects and programmes that capitalise on existing strengths to help to close the regions productivity deficit. In addition Midlands Innovation partners are working closely with their LEPs to develop compelling Local Industrial Strategies for the region.

The Midlands Engine Science and Innovation Audit identified three enabling competencies in the region:

- Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering
- Digital Technologies and Data
- Systems Integration

and four market driven priorities:

- Next Generation Transport
- Medical Technologies and Pharmaceuticals
- Future Food Processing
- Energy and Low Carbon

header1 DGP9077

  • We Make the Midlands – Connectivity & Enterprise

    Discover what makes the Midlands, and the cultural, historical and business assets that the Midlands has to offer.

 

Video courtesy of Midlands Engine