UK Market
Demystifying the UK Regions
What is the UK made of?
The United Kingdom includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We have a population of 60 million in a space smaller than New Zealand, making the diversity of the land and its people immense.
12 different economic regions
For governing purposes there are 12 economic regions - nine in England, plus Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each region has a development agency whose job it is to promote economic growth. One way they do this is by helping non-UK companies set up and expand within their region.
Choosing the right region for your business
Countries in Europe are becoming more diverse. This can make the choice of where to base your business more difficult. It’s not as easy to compare and contrast potential locations at a national level. What you need is concrete data. Although national analysis is an important first step, you might find that you need a combination of local, regional and national data to make an informed decision. You might want to compare information across multiple UK regions, or even compare regions in different countries.
Comparing multiple UK regions
In a way, UK Trade & Investment is the UK's national development agency. We gather and analyse local, national and international data for our clients. So, you can utilise the deep pool of knowledge we have at our fingertips to make informed business decisions. We can also provide comparative data across regions, in the UK and beyond.
Do you have a location short-list?
If you are looking for impartial, expert opinion on where to base your business in the UK, talk to us.
There's a wide range of questions we can help you answer, like:
- what types of businesses are already located within a city/region?
- where are the clusters?
- are regional grants or Government funding available?
- what are the real estate and set-up costs like?
Do you know where you want to be?
Each development agency can provide you with a thorough analysis of the business environment in that region relevant to your needs. They have unrivalled local knowledge and provide excellent support to new and established businesses.
Working in partnership
Like you, the UK regions are looking for the best ways to grow and succeed. This attitude creates a healthy rivalry between the regions - each one is aiming to attract businesses with outstanding potential However, only you will know which location is the right one for you. By working closely with you and understanding your business drivers, UK Trade & Investment and the 12 UK development agencies can make the journey to your ideal business location a much smoother one.