Greater Manchester’s remarkable growth and transformation has established our city-region as a place that resonates far beyond the UK, commanding attention on a global stage.
With our economy growing faster than the UK’s and ranking as the top regional city in the UK for inward investment over the last decade, we continue to prove our economic potential.
The much-deserved recognition as a leader in the investment landscape is a testament to the resilience, creativity and ambition that defines Greater Manchester. Our forward-thinking vision positions us as a destination that captures the imagination of international business leaders.
Enabled by world-class business infrastructure, a vibrant culture and powered by one of the UK’s youngest and most skilled talent pools, we continue to strengthen our position as a top 20 European city and one of the best places to live, work and visit.
The statistics present a compelling case for this: access to a talent pool of over 7.3mn people within an hour’s reach, direct flights to over 200 global destinations via Manchester Airport and a £80bn economy. But what truly sets Greater Manchester apart is its unmatched combination of innovation, ambition, and practical delivery that consistently surpasses the expectations of businesses.
What emerges in conversations with international business leaders is their growing recognition of Manchester, not just as a UK investment destination, but as a global powerhouse. From international forums like SXSW in Austin to MIPIM in Cannes, we are not merely participating in global markets, but actively setting new standards for what an investment destination can represent. Our upcoming presence at SXSW 2025 in Austin builds on extraordinary momentum in our US market engagement and how we’re expanding our international reach across multiple key sectors.
Our return to Texas allows us to showcase a transformative creative, digital, and tech sector that has become a global innovation hub. The sector employs over 96,000 people and contributes £6.1bn to our economy. Companies like Cloud Imperium Games demonstrate our city-region’s extraordinary growth potential, as shown by their recent expansion from Texas into Greater Manchester.
The sector’s remarkable 27 per cent growth over the last decade is embodied by clusters like MediaCity in Salford, hosting the UK’s main broadcasting companies including BBC, ITV and Channel 4 and attracting a multitude of creative, digital, and tech enterprises. With AI seeing major traction in recent years, Manchester has been named the UK’s most AI-ready city, attracting investment from leading US technology companies, including streaming technology company, Roku.
Across our advanced manufacturing sector, the recent Memorandum of Understanding with Panasonic to accelerate net-zero transition highlights the region’s commitment to sustainable innovation. With over 114,000 people employed in advanced manufacturing across Greater Manchester, there’s a depth of expertise that continually impresses international investors.
Major manufacturers like Siemens, BAE Systems and Bosch, as well as the home-grown, household names including Rolls-Royce and Warburtons, have already established a strong presence, with more expected to join.
The life sciences narrative is equally compelling. When potential investors are guided through the Oxford Road Corridor, Europe’s largest clinical academic campus, or discuss the £6bn of ongoing development including innovation district Sister, they see current opportunities alongside a clear vision for the future.
Manchester now hosts the largest Fintech cluster outside of the capital, and I regularly meet with American financial and professional services firms who are struck by the combination of established global companies and innovative startups they can find here.
Over 311,000 people are employed in our financial services sector locally across 250 businesses, with major international firms including Barclays, HSBC, BNY, Deloitte, EY, Starling, KPMG, Vanguard, Alvarez and Marsal, PWC and JPMorgan having significant operations in the city-region.
The breadth of our sector expertise continues to impress global investors. The city-region is recognised for its leadership in semiconductors and power electronics, cyber and fintech alongside our world-class research infrastructure and talent pipeline.
Part of the success of our talent pipeline is due to our four leading universities, which combined produce over 36,000 graduates every year. With the highest rate of graduate retention in the UK, we can offer a depth of talent that rivals any European city.
As we prepare for upcoming international engagements across the US, Japan, Europe, and India, Greater Manchester continues to strengthen its global presence and international relations. These delegations represent opportunities to showcase our city-region’s strengths while building lasting economic and cultural connections worldwide. Our participation in SXSW, MIPIM, and targeted missions to key markets demonstrates our commitment to connecting with businesses that share our vision of innovation-led growth.
The next 12 months will further cement Greater Manchester’s position as a global investment powerhouse. Our track record of supporting international businesses, our comprehensive infrastructure and vision for the future, create an environment where global companies can succeed.
We’re already off to a positive start, with the launch of our city-region’s ten-year plan to drive growth and generate tens of thousands of new jobs and homes. The plan will target investment at six Growth Locations across Greater Manchester to deliver £1bn of investment every year for the next decade.
Every day there’s evidence of growth in Greater Manchester – which is visible in our rapidly evolving skyline – as more global companies land in our major expansion areas like MediaCity and Manchester city centre. This growth, coupled with landmark developments across our city-region, presents prime opportunities for capital investors, which will be showcased at MIPIM. These aren’t just assets, they’re game-changers for businesses seeking the perfect location for growth.
For international business leaders considering their next investment location, Greater Manchester offers something unique: a place where ambition meets opportunity, innovation drives growth, and businesses can find the perfect environment to thrive.
Greater Manchester isn’t just another investment option – it’s the UK’s growth opportunity for companies serious about the future.
Joe Manning, Managing Director of MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency