Manchester's Industries

Welcome to the original business city. Manchester has played a pivotal role in shaping how the world does business.

Birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, establishing the cooperative and free trade movements, Manchester continues to be a great city for industry and innovation and is recognised as one of Europe’s leading business destinations. It is the most successful city for attracting foreign direct investment outside London.

With strengths in research, manufacturing and advanced engineering, life sciences, energy and environment, financial, professional and business services, and creative, digital and technology, Manchester has a world-class offer for the international investor.

Attracting more foreign direct investment in the past decade than any other city outside of London, Manchester is already home to over 2,000 foreign owned companies including Kellogg’s, PZ Cussons, Siemens, BNY Mellon, Google, and Bouygues, Energies & Services.

As the UK’s second largest economy, Manchester is an important economic engine driving the country’s growth and prosperity, and has a GVA of £62.8 billion.

Made up of 10 metropolitan boroughs, Greater Manchester is the UK’s most economically diverse city region. Manchester is at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse. The Northern Powerhouse is the UK government’s strategy to boost the local economies of seven northern cities by investing in skills, innovation, transport and culture, as well as devolving significant powers and budgets.

The city region reached a ground-breaking devolution agreement with the UK Government which saw Manchester become the first place in the UK to gain governance over its economy.

This historic devolution agreement means Manchester has significant powers and responsibilities over its transport, housing, planning, business skills and training, and science and innovation. These powers will enable control of Greater Manchester’s £6 billion National Health Service budget which is a landmark move in UK health and social care policy.

Through the city’s devolution agenda, there will be strong co-investment opportunities particularly around housing, transport and innovation within science and health care.

Contact MIDAS to see how Manchester can support your innovation.

T: +44 (0)161 237 4470
E: info@midas.org.uk
@MIDAS_MCR