Sector strengths

As the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and the first programmable computer, Manchester is truly a city of firsts. The city’s pioneering history has helped shaped the depth and diversity we see today as Manchester remains an industrial and commercial powerhouse.

Today the region continues to search for new ways to innovate, with particular strengths in three cutting –edge sectors.

Life Sciences

A city of firsts, Manchester has a decorated history in medical advancements. Home to four universities with strong track records of working with industry, Manchester provides a climate where innovation can grow and prosper.

Manchester has Europe’s largest clinical academic campus, and is home to several medical research institutes; Europe’s biggest cancer treatment centre; and the largest clinical trials in the world. The city offers not just low costs and excellent international connectivity but boasts a unique health innovation initiative which helps companies gain an important foothold in the NHS.

Advanced Manufacturing

Manchester’s heritage in manufacturing extends over many decades, with over 116,000 people now employed in the sector. Today, manufacturing reflects the development and adoption of some trailblazing technologies, with an expanding focus on advanced manufacturing and advanced materials such as graphene. With many strengths in the sector, including recognition as the ‘home of graphene’, the city is positioned to become one of the world’s leading centres of excellence for advanced manufacturing within the next decade.

The scale of opportunity for advanced manufacturing in Manchester is limitless. Thousands of companies choose to base their research, design, development and manufacturing here. Global players like Kellogg’s, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Hitachi, Thales and Siemens have invested heavily in the region.

Creative and digital

Manchester is one of Europe’s most successful creative, digital, tech and media hubs and the industry is growing faster here than anywhere else in the UK. No other European city has invested into this sector more than Manchester, with over £3.5 billion of investment made by both the public and private sector in the last few years to ensure that the industry continues to develop and thrive here.

Convergence and collaboration are driving digital innovation and Manchester is at the centre of the action. Manchester’s key strength lies in how its various physical and geographical clusters – MediaCityUK, Corridor Manchester, Manchester Science Partnerships, The Sharp Project, and the Northern Quarter – collaborate. Collectively they work to break down traditional vertical sectors, creating countless innovation opportunities around media production, software development, augmented reality, digital health, e-commerce, gaming and data analytics to name just a few.