Over the last two decades, Greater Manchester has established itself as one of the UK’s strongest growth stories.
Today, it is attracting more investment than any UK city outside London and is home to the UK’s fastest-growing regional economy. This success is not the result of a single project or sector, but the outcome of sustained growth, strong partnerships and a clear vision for the future.
Now, Greater Manchester’s growth story is entering a new chapter, creating new opportunities for investors to share in its success.
A track record of delivery
Already established as one of the UK’s leading destinations for business, Greater Manchester has built a diverse economy supported by strong partnerships between industry, academia and the public sector. This collaborative approach has helped create one of Europe’s most dynamic business ecosystems and continues to attract global organisations looking for a competitive UK base.
Growth here is driven by a number of internationally competitive sectors, including digital, AI and cyber, advanced manufacturing and materials, health innovation and life sciences, creative industries, and low carbon technologies. These sectors are supported by world-leading research institutions, specialist facilities and innovation districts that help businesses innovate, scale and access new markets.
By building on the strengths of its anchor institutions and creating closer links between universities, high-growth businesses and supply chains, Greater Manchester is creating new centres of innovation and opportunity across the city -region. From the creative, digital and technology hubs at St John’s and MediaCityUK to the advanced manufacturing and materials cluster emerging at Atom Valley, investment is helping drive the next generation of economic growth.
Talent increasingly has a choice about where to live and work, and Greater Manchester’s cultural offer is becoming a competitive advantage in its own right. The region’s reputation for music, sport and culture continues to grow, attracting major events such as The BRIT Awards, the Edinburgh TV Festival and the NBA. Together, these contribute to Greater Manchester’s international profile, helping to attract and retain the skilled workforce that businesses need to succeed.
A decade of opportunity
When it comes to regeneration and development, Greater Manchester has created a ten-year pipeline of opportunities spanning residential, commercial and industrial projects, alongside significant infrastructure investment. Covering the whole city- region, the pipeline supports the ambition to drive growth beyond the city centre while providing investors with a clear line of sight to future opportunities.
To deliver this pipeline, Greater Manchester is pioneering a new model for growth. Its first-of-its-kind £2 billion Good Growth Fund is helping to de-risk projects and accelerate regeneration across all ten boroughs. This investment will support the delivery of high-quality homes, new innovation districts and improved access to opportunity for communities across the city -region.
The region is also investing in the infrastructure needed to support long-term growth, including the delivery of the integrated Bee Network transport system, alongside heat networks and enhanced digital connectivity.
Together, this activity supports the Greater Manchester Strategy, a shared vision across all ten local authorities to create a thriving city -region where everyone can live a good life. This clear direction underpins investment, development and regeneration activity across Greater Manchester, helping to ensure that growth delivers tangible results.
Investors are not arriving at the end of the story. They are arriving at the start of Greater Manchester’s next phase of growth, underpinned by a shared vision for good growth.
Built to deliver
As a pioneer of English devolution, Greater Manchester has greater control over key decisions affecting transport, planning and skills. This devolved approach has given the region a reputation for getting things done.
For investors, this means a simpler and more joined-up route into the city –region, with decisions made locally and a shared commitment to delivery across all ten boroughs. Combined with tools such as Mayoral Development Corporations, which are becoming more widely used across the region, this is helping to streamline the development process and remove barriers to investment.
Greater Manchester also recognises that growth is most successful when it is collaborative. By investing in the city –region, businesses become part of a highly connected business community that works alongside regional leaders to shape the future of the city-region. They also gain access to a deep pool of talent, world-leading research expertise and innovation assets that support long-term growth.
The region’s strong national and international connectivity further strengthens its appeal. With excellent road and rail links, alongside direct flights to more than 200 destinations worldwide, businesses have the infrastructure they need to grow both nationally and globally.
The places that will thrive in the coming decade will be those that combine talent, innovation, connectivity and long-term vision. Greater Manchester has spent years building those foundations. That is why businesses, investors and entrepreneurs continue to choose the city-region, and why its growth story is just getting started.
