Issue No. 1
The heart of the UK.
What does the East Midlands offer?
The East Midlands region, situated at the geographical heart of the UK, offers a profitable investment opportunity. This diverse region combines bustling urban areas, rich cultural centres, and abundant arable land. It enjoys robust global connectivity with two freeports and airports in its transportation network. Furthermore, its world-renowned universities and research centres of excellence lead the way in cutting-edge technologies, including agri-robotics, green energy, and life sciences.
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Investing in the East Midlands will undoubtedly yield significant returns on investment while contributing to the region’s growth and development.
Why the
East Midlands?
"GDP was £126 billion in 2020, accounting for 5.9% of UK GDP"
A diverse and skilled population
4880000
4880000
4880000
East Midlands Airport is the UK’s
most important
airport for dedicated cargo flights.
1,000 tonnes of cargo a day
£40bn of trade to and from the UK and £11bn of non-EU imports and exports each year
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with world-class universities and research centres providing a talent pipeline.
Thriving Sectors including:
Advanced
Manufacturing
Agri-Food
Life Sciences
East Midlands Specialisms include:
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East Midlands Freeport
Located at the heart of the UK, East Midlands Freeport (EMF) is the country’s only inland freeport and a strategic hub for global trade. Home to East Midlands Airport, the UK’s busiest ‘pure’ cargo airport, EMF offers unmatched connectivity and logistical advantages, housing the East Midlands Intermodal Park and being on the M1 Motorway. EMF’s unique position and beneficial economic regulations stimulate innovation, encourage investment, and allow businesses to leverage their commercial and industrial strengths.
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Unlocking unmatched economic potential
Investing in the East Midlands offers many opportunities for businesses seeking to tap into a dynamic regional economy with significant growth potential. Here are some exciting projects that investors should consider:
Opportunities:
Humber Freeport
Located in one of the UK’s busiest port complexes, Humber Freeport is a global gateway, spanning both banks of the 45-kilometre-wide Humber estuary. The freeport provides investors with a range of economic advantages. The Customs and Tax Zones offer simplified customs documentation and tariff-free imports, while businesses operating inside the zone can manufacture goods and export them without paying full tariffs.
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Leicester is home to Space City which includes the National Space Centre, Space Park, Dock 1 & 2 and will be expanded to include the Dock 3 innovation workspace and newer industrial and business incubator facilities at Abbey Court, creating one of the largest and most connected enterprise zones for space-related activities in the UK. The space cluster takes in some £233 million of existing and planned building on land to the north of the City Centre. Space Park is already home to Rolls Royce, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Hewlett Packard and Amazon.
Space City
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Food processing automation
Greater Lincolnshire is at the heart of the UK’s food chain, producing one-eighth of England’s food and supporting 75,000 jobs in the food sector. The region is also leading the way in the industrial technology revolution, with a growing demand for advanced analytics, robotics and automation in the food processing sector. Investors will find a concentration of projects, start-ups, technology companies, and advisory services unrivalled in Europe, with a range of incubation and soft landing platforms with dedicated collaborative spaces for industry and academia.
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InterGen’s Battery Energy Storage System in Spalding, Lincolnshire, will be one of the largest in the world when completed, with a final capacity of 550 megawatts for a 2-hour discharge duration (550 MW/2 hours, or 1100 MWh) with zero greenhouse gas emissions. InterGen is seeking a co-investor to take up to 49% equity in the project, offering investors the opportunity to be part of a game-changing project with significant growth potential.
Battery Energy Storage System
More opportunities
Charnwood Campus
Charnwood Campus is the UK’s pioneering Life Sciences Opportunity Zone that offers exceptional investment opportunities. The campus provides state-of-the-art, adaptable laboratories, specialised manufacturing facilities, and extensive support services to companies operating in the life sciences sector. The campus provides a world-class infrastructure, which is critical for research and development in the life sciences industry. This makes Charnwood Campus an ideal location for companies seeking to establish a strong presence in the UK life sciences sector.
Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP)
One of Europe’s largest combined university and science parks, home to over 90 knowledge-based organisations including start-ups, tech unicorns and global brands, directly accessible from the M1, LUSEP is a research and innovation hub, focused on STEM disciplines such as advanced engineering, manufacturing, materials science, and clean energy. It offers state-of-the-art facilities, expertise, and resources from Loughborough University, as well as industry partners, to foster collaboration, innovation, and growth of high-tech businesses. LUSEP is committed to sustainability, reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable development.
Nottingham Redevelopment
Nottingham City Council has launched a £4 billion development program to revitalise and regenerate the city. This ambitious project aims to transform Nottingham into a vibrant and sustainable city by focusing on key areas such as infrastructure, housing, and green spaces. The program includes a wide range of initiatives, including the construction of new homes, the development of modern office spaces, improvements to transport and connectivity, and the creation of attractive public spaces. The aim is to become a leading destination for business and innovation, while also prioritising environmental sustainability and promoting community well-being.
SmartParc SEGRO Derby
Smartparc Segro is a state-of-the-art food manufacturing and distribution park providing food manufacturing facilities from start-up incubation units to large-scale manufacturing facilities, ranging from 50,000 sq ft to 400,000 sq ft. The campus will be home to a Food Manufacturing Technology Centre of Excellence.
The Island Quarter, Nottingham
The Island Quarter presents a lucrative £1.4bn investment opportunity for those seeking to be a part of Nottingham’s new and unique city destination. This innovative 36-acre site has been masterfully designed around the 15-minute city concept, creating a hub for living, working, and socialising. At the heart of the development is a ‘green river,’ which is surrounded by more than 20 restaurants and bars, a 223-room IHG hotel, over 900 residential units, nearly 60,000 sq ft of office space, and 693 student accommodation beds.
With a range of amenities and a central location, The Island Quarter is set to become a highly sought-after destination, offering exceptional potential for investment returns.
Derbyshire's Former Drakelow Power Station
Formerly home to three coal-fired power stations, the 282-hectare Drakelow site has approval for an employment park, over 2,000 homes, and a local centre with retail, leisure, and education facilities. This area is home to global businesses such as Alstom, JCB, Nestlé, Rolls-Royce, and Toyota UK. Permission also exists on the site for new power generation facilities alongside an existing solar farm.
UK Food Valley
Greater Lincolnshire is at the heart of the UK’s £234 billion agri-food sector, presenting unique investment opportunities for businesses seeking to profit from the industry’s transformation and growth. The area is home to leading industry clusters across the food value chain.
These clusters include businesses involved in crop production, processing, packaging, and distribution, as well as research and development institutions focused on driving innovation in the sector.
MIRA Technology Park
MIRA is Europe’s leading mobility R&D location for developing the latest automotive technologies, including 100km of test tracks, 38 major test laboratories, and home to over 35 global companies. It is also home to one of the UK’s largest engineering universities.
Rolls-Royce:
from the East Midlands to the Moon
Rolls-Royce has secured funding to develop advanced nuclear technology for a future Moon base. The company’s ‘Micro-Reactor’ programme aims to build power systems capable of supporting human life on the Moon and has received £2.9 million in new funding from the UK Space Agency. With this investment, Rolls-Royce is poised to demonstrate the feasibility of a modular nuclear reactor on the lunar surface.
2029
A moon-ready nuclear reactor by
We are backing technology and capabilities to support ambitious space exploration missions and boost sector growth across the UK. Developing space nuclear power offers a unique chance to support innovative technologies and grow our nuclear, science and space engineering skills base. This innovative research by Rolls-Royce could lay the groundwork for powering continuous human presence on the Moon while enhancing the wider UK space sector, creating jobs and generating further investment.
Dr Paul Bate,
chief executive of the UK Space Agency
s
s
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Quality of Life
vibrant cultural destinations, stunning countryside, and affordable housing options.
The East Midlands is renowned for being business-friendly, with low operating costs, competitive property prices, and attractive incentives for investors. These factors make the East Midlands desirable for investors seeking to tap into a dynamic and thriving regional economy with significant growth potential.
Your partners
Midlands Engine
Established in 2015, the Midlands Engine partnership between government, businesses, and local stakeholders aims to drive economic growth and productivity in the region through collaboration, investment, and innovation, with a focus on areas such as transport, education, innovation, enterprise, and market access.
Invest in Leicester
Invest in Leicester promotes Leicester as an ideal location for businesses looking to invest and grow. They work closely with local stakeholders, providing a range of services and support for businesses. Their website is a hub of information and resources, covering everything from key sectors to investment opportunities and incentives. Invest in Leicester actively seeks to attract new investment and support the growth of existing businesses, aiming to create a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable economy for the city and the wider region.
Marketing Derby
Marketing Derby promotes the city of Derby, and the county of Derbyshire, as an attractive place to invest, work, visit, and live through partnerships with local authorities and businesses. They support businesses by providing information, identifying investment opportunities, and helping with funding. The organisation also promotes cultural and sporting events and attracts talent to the area, with the goal of building a dynamic community and creating new opportunities.
Team Lincolnshire
Team Lincolnshire promotes Lincolnshire in the UK as a great place to do business and invest. The partnership provides services such as advice on the local business environment and support for accessing funding. It focuses on key sectors such as agri-food, advanced engineering, manufacturing, and logistics to promote innovation and growth, building partnerships with local businesses and industry networks. The aim is to create a thriving economy in Lincolnshire, generating new jobs and opportunities for local communities.
D2N2
The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership focuses on promoting economic growth, attracting investment, and supporting job creation in the Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire area, with a focus on improving transport, skills, and innovation, and building a strong and resilient economy for the future.
Leicestershire LEP
The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) is a collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and stakeholders that works to drive economic growth and prosperity through investment, innovation, and collaboration in key areas such as skills, business support, and infrastructure, supporting job creation and a thriving local economy.
Greater Lincolnshire LEP
The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is a public-private partnership made up of business leaders, local authorities, and stakeholders, which aims to promote economic growth in the area through collaboration, identifying and addressing economic challenges and opportunities, and prioritizing transport, skills, and innovation.
Invest Nottingham
Invest in Nottingham is a public-private partnership that attracts and supports business investment in Nottingham, UK. It offers a range of services to help businesses establish themselves, from advice on the local business environment to funding and site identification. The partnership focuses on key sectors like life sciences, digital technologies, and advanced manufacturing to promote innovation and growth.
Department for Business & Trade
The UK's Department for Business & Trade (D&T) helps businesses access financing and succeed in global markets. It connects UK businesses with potential investors and promotes the UK as a destination for foreign investment. The D&T aims to build a strong, outward-looking UK economy by supporting businesses to secure funding and succeed internationally.
If you're looking for information and help with business development, investment opportunities, or expanding your business in the UK, don't hesitate to get in touch with one of our partner organisations. They offer a range of services and support to help businesses thrive, from market research and financial advice to site selection and access to funding. Get in touch today to find out how they can help you achieve your business goals.
Companies in the East Midlands
Boots
Experian
Capital One
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Toyota Manufacturing UK
Next PLC
Dunelm Group
Red Bull Racing Honda
Samworth Brothers
Greencore Group
Caterpillar UK
Thorntons
Dr. Martens
Fairline Yachts
Ping
Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team
Williams Racing
Walkers Crisps
Marston's Brewery
Carlsberg UK
British Steel
Rolls-Royce
Speedo
JCB
Raleigh
Haas F1 Team
Triumph Motorcycles
Paul Smith
Sports Direct
Travis Perkins
Experian
Next PLC
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Red Bull Racing Honda
Greencore Group
Boots
Toyota Manufacturing UK
Capital One
Dunelm Group
Samworth Brothers
The East Midlands is home to many well-known companies and brands which are headquartered in the area. This demonstrates the region's favourable business climate and strategic location, making it an attractive destination for investment and growth opportunities. Additionally, the region provides an environment that is conducive to business growth and development, so is an ideal investment destination.
- British Steel
- Rolls-Royce
- Speedo
- JCB
- Raleigh
- Haas F1 Team
- Triumph Motorcycles
- Paul Smith
- Sports Direct
- Travis Perkins
- Nestle
- Caterpillar UK
- Thorntons
- Dr. Martens
- Fairline Yachts
- Ping
- Williams Racing
- Walkers Crisps
- Marston's Brewery
- Carlsberg UK
- Aston Martin Formula One
- Alstom
- Boots
- Experian
- Capital One
- Toyota Manufacturing UK
- Next PLC
- Dunelm Group
- Red Bull Racing Honda
- Samworth Brothers
- Greencore Group
- Mercedes-AMG Formula One
- Siemens Energy
Company HQ's in the East Midlands
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