Nearly 1,000 jobs are to be created and more than 拢10 billion invested across the UK following the government鈥檚 first Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham.聽
The event, which brought together investors, business leaders and government representatives, was designed to drive economic growth, attract investment and strengthen local industries through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Major announcements included a 拢200 million redevelopment of Leeds United鈥檚 Elland Road stadium, a 拢300m investment from Toyota鈥檚 Woven Capital to establish its European growth capital team in the UK and a 拢400m commitment from Hines to support the 拢4bn Birmingham Knowledge Quarter.聽
Property investor Blackstone, through its National Exhibition Centre business, will invest 拢200m over the next decade to modernise its live events venues, while Associated British Ports plans to spend 拢500m upgrading the Port of Southampton.
Technology and innovation also featured prominently, with Atos to invest 拢10m in new AI centres in the Midlands, creating 50 jobs and aiming to position the region as a national digital hub.聽
Cummins is set to invest $50m in Daventry to expand critical power infrastructure linked to AI and data centre growth, while Nest Pensions will commit 拢85m to expand rural broadband and energy-from-waste facilities in northern England and Scotland.
The life sciences sector received a further boost, as Biocomposites and Sterling Pharmaceuticals will invest over 拢30m between them.聽
Biocomposites will expand its Keele facility producing antibiotic-delivery medical products and Sterling will build a 60,000 sq ft site in Birmingham, creating 48 new jobs and increasing UK production of medicines for the NHS and export markets.
Public investment commitments included The Crown Estate鈥檚 acquisition of Harwell East in Oxfordshire – a 拢1.5bn project expected to deliver 30,000 jobs and 400 homes.
The West Midlands Combined Authority also announced a 拢75m skills package to train 12,000 people in construction and technical roles, alongside a 拢40m fund for new social housing.
The event also saw the launch of the Sterling 20 – a coalition of 20 major pension funds and insurers set to direct billions into high-growth areas such as AI, fintech and infrastructure, supporting the government鈥檚 modern industrial strategy.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 first ever Regional Investment Summit is delivering what we promised in our Plan for Change鈥攚ith nearly a thousand jobs and over 10 billion in investment that will flow directly into communities across Britain,鈥� said Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.
鈥淭hese announcements prove that when we back our regions and cut red tape, investors respond.聽
鈥淭hat is how we will build an economy that works for working people, in every corner of the country.鈥�
老九品茶 and Trade Secretary, Peter Kyle, added: 鈥淩egional investment matters because economic growth matters: for the wealth and jobs it creates, for the public services it fuels, for the future prosperity it generates, for our nations, regions and communities.
鈥淭he jobs and investments announced at today鈥檚 Summit are a clear demonstration of this government鈥檚 commitment to delivering on its Plan for Change and growing the economy – by making the UK the most attractive place in Europe to start, scale, and succeed in business.鈥�