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A unique area consisting of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, the Marches is part of the Midlands and officially one of the most enterprising regions in the UK.
At its heart is the global birthplace of industry, part of a heritage which has sparked a revolution of a different kind with innovative hi-tech enterprises, land-based industries and entrepreneurs flourishing alongside global players.
Ideas which changed the world were born in the Marches: the Industrial Revolution in the Ironbridge Gorge; the first modern skyscraper, the Flax Mill in Shrewsbury; the modern Olympic movement in Much Wenlock; the Mappa Mundi in Hereford and Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.
These big ideas are evidence of the Marches’ pioneering industrial heritage and its entrepreneurial spirit. It has demonstrated its ability to change and adapt to emerging technology and innovation, without losing sight of its roots.
High profile businesses which have chosen to base operations here, capitalising on the Marches’ geographical location and sector strengths in advanced manufacturing, food and drink and defence and security.
Companies based in the Marches include Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, Ricoh, Denso, GKN Land Systems, Caterpillar Remanufacturing, Muller Wiseman Dairies, Avara Foods and Cap Gemini – to name but a few.
Herefordshire is rich in heritage, culture and enterprise. A place which is proud of its history whilst being ambitious for the future. The historic cathedral city of Hereford is home to Skylon Park, the only Enterprise Zone in the country to focus on the defence, security and cyber sectors.
With the renowned historic market town, Shrewsbury, at its heart, Shropshire has an exceptional education offer, with high-performing schools, a large college offering academic and vocational programmes and a new University Centre, all with strong links to local businesses and career opportunities.
The birthplace of the industrial revolution, Telford is now a fast growing, diverse modern business location at the forefront of opportunities and challenges around productivity and automation in advanced manufacturing. Telford is meeting the need for a more technically skilled workforce, addressing inequalities and focussed on work readiness and progression in wages and skills.
Our economic strategy combines our vision and values with a clear plan towards achieving our ambitions for growth.
Learn moreThe Marches is a thriving, successful place to live and do business, with an exceptional quality of life and strong communities.
Learn moreTogether, we are developing a vibrant regional economy, putting business at the heart of our work and removing the barriers to growth.
Learn moreOur economic strategy combines our vision and values with a clear plan towards achieving our ambitions for growth.
Learn more