What a month it’s been for Greater Manchester.
Our productive trade mission to Singapore and Japan has already shown the importance of forging international partnerships, with Mizkan announcing a £17 million investment in Middleton.
The historic agreements we secured, including the Memorandum of Agreement between Osaka Chamber of Commerce and MIDAS and the sister city declaration between Greater Manchester and Osaka, build on over 200 years of shared history while opening exciting new opportunities for future collaboration.
This international momentum has been matched by fantastic developments in our life sciences sector, as we launched the “Investing in Life Sciences in Manchester” prospectus. In the same week the Government announced Manchester as the permanent home of the Industrial Strategy Council from 2026, positioning us at the heart of the UK’s plan to become a global life sciences superpower.
Within the sector, major investments like the University of Manchester’s £4.8 million partnership with the University of Cambridge and IQVIA’s expansion in Wythenshawe continue to strengthen our ecosystem and demonstrate growing international confidence in our capabilities.
All of this success was further validated when Manchester was crowned the UK’s top regional city for foreign direct investment in an EY report, with a 20% rise in projects – marking our third time leading in five years.
Looking ahead, following the announcement of IndiGo’s Manchester to Mumbai direct flight route, we’re excited for more India-focused activity – so watch this space for more news to come.
The biggest news from Manchester this month…
- Galvia AI opens Manchester office
- Mizkan Announces £17m Investment in Middleton
- Manchester’s £2.5bn boost to create UK’s first zero-emission public transport network
- Manchester and Cambridge £4.8m funding for UK innovation partnership
Manchester announces major investment drive to accelerate Life Sciences growth
MIDAS has launched a new life sciences prospectus, “Investing in Life Sciences in Manchester” to showcase the city-region’s position as one of the UK’s most dynamic health innovation ecosystems.
The prospectus was officially unveiled at Sister, the £1.7 billion innovation district, highlighting Manchester’s strengths in data, genomics, oncology, and clinical trials within the UK’s £120 billion life sciences market.
The launch coincides with Manchester becoming the permanent home of the Industrial Strategy Council from 2026, reinforcing the city-region’s central role in the Government’s ambition to establish the UK as a global life sciences superpower. Recent investments include £4.8 million for the University of Manchester-Cambridge partnership and IQVIA’s major expansion in Wythenshawe’s Medicines Evaluation Unit, creating high-value jobs and supporting breakthrough therapies.
Greater Manchester’s historic trade mission to Japan delivers big investment
Greater Manchester’s largest recorded delegation to Japan has concluded a successful mission, led by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Cllr Bev Craig, and Honorary Consul Jo Ahmed MBE. The mission delivered significant results, headlined by Mizkan’s £17 million investment in Middleton, with further announcements expected this month.
MIDAS’ Managing Director, Joe Manning, with Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Low Carbon, Rachel Eyre and Business Development Director, David Hilton, joined the senior delegation in Tokyo and Osaka for EXPO 2025.
Historic diplomatic milestones included a Memorandum of Agreement between Osaka Chamber of Commerce and MIDAS, plus a sister city declaration between Manchester and Osaka, building on over 200 years of shared history.
The agreements will create new opportunities for collaboration across multiple sectors, including advanced manufacturing & low carbon.
Manchester leads UK regional FDI for third time in five years
Manchester has been named the UK’s top city for foreign direct investment outside London, according to EY’s latest survey.
The city saw a 20% rise in inward investment projects in 2024, overtaking Birmingham and reaffirming its position as the UK’s leading regional destination for international investment.
This marks the third time in five years Manchester has held this position, demonstrating growing global appeal and economic resilience. The achievement reflects the city-region’s strengths across life sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital technology and financial services, supported by world-class universities, excellent connectivity and a skilled workforce.
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