Welcome to North East England - Home to Europe's Fastest Growing Sectors
North East England has a well deserved reputation for supporting firms' international business expansion. Today more than 500 leading global companies are located in the region, making it one of the most dynamic parts of the European Economic Area – the world’s largest trading block.
The region has proven expertise in helping firms exploit business opportunities at minimum risk, attracting high levels of Forgeign Direct Investment (FDI) from Europe, Asia and North America. Around 40% of companies listed on the Dow Jones have operations in North East England. They include
3M,
Caterpillar,
Hewlett Packard, and
Procter & Gamble.
Investment Opportunities in North East EnglandHigh growth sectors, such as Energy & Low Carbon Technology, Chemicals and Automotive & Advanced Manufacturing have proved a magnet for ambitious companies. And there is increasing potential in key areas such as Healthcare & Life Sciences, as well as Digital Media and Animation.
The region's long-term commitment and investment in renewable energy technology is providing opportunities for expanding and innovative businesses. This is attracting global players such as the leading American company,
Clipper Windpower, who is developing the world’s largest offshore wind turbine in the region. Combined heat and power specialist
Yanmar also has its European research centre here.
North East England provides the backbone of the UK's chemical industry. A third of UK pharmaceutical production and 58% of the UK's petrochemical industry is located here along with a fifth of the country's process manufacturing capacity. Over 200 pharmaceutical, speciality chemical and biotechnology companies are based here - employing 34,000 people - producing £9bn of the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The region is also home to a skilled, highly adaptable workforce, who are at the heart of our business success and have made companies like Nissan one of the most productive car plants in the world.
The region’s network of
centres of excellence are generating many commercial opportunities by bringing together industry and university expertise backed by government support to create an environment where ambitious businesses – from university spin-offs to foreign firms - can prosper.
As a result innovative firms located here are involved in a drive to produce the next generation of products in emerging fields such as printable electronics, functional materials, advanced processes and low-carbon energy.
North East England combines these opportunities with some of the most affordable labour costs, factory and office sites. Business overheads are among the least expensive in the UK, typically 50% less than South East England and London.
