Who's Already Here?

The Marches is home to a varied business base, but its central location, rurality, entrepreneurial spirit and hunger for innovation has seen the emergence of key sectors.

When you add into the mix vibrant, modern business and technology parks and the diverse landscape of the three counties, the Marches is the perfect location for companies looking for a thriving base in the UK.

From advanced manufacturing to home-based enterprises and world-renowned security and defence organisations to artisan food producers, the region's diverse economy is worth £10 billion. The LEP is working with partners, including UKTI and BIS, to attract further investment.

The new partnership presents an attractive opportunity to stimulate further private sector growth in areas and sectors of the local economy which find both a natural home in the Marches and reflect the changing shape of the UK economy post recession. These include environmental and building technologies, renewable energies, creative industries, the food and drink sector, advanced engineering, and polymers and bio-plastics, building on the diversification of the strong manufacturing and engineering base.