Key Sector Support
The Northwest is home to a number of internationally competitive
knowledge-based sectors. Together, these sectors account for 55% of
the region’s Gross Value Added.
The NWDA invests heavily in these sectors to make sure they
remain at the forefront of their industries. Our investment focuses
on business growth, improving productivity and identifying future
growth opportunities. As well as funding skills-related projects
within each of these key sectors, the Agency also funds a number of
private sector-led cluster organisations providing support to
businesses.
Aerospace
The Northwest has overseen development of major aerospace
programmes such as the Nimrod Reconnaissance aircraft project, the
Eurofighter Typhoon and the RB-211 jet engine. The region boasts a
number of major industry players, including BAE Systems and Rolls
Royce, both of which operate major design and manufacturing
facilities in the region.
Supporting what is one of Europe’s leading industrial hubs, the
Northwest Aerospace
Alliance represents 800 member companies and
stakeholders in the region.
Automotive
The region is the UK’s second largest automotive sector and
consists of a number of lean, precision-automated assembly plants
producing some of the world’s most prestigious cars, including
Bentley, Jaguar and Land Rover. The Northwest is also home to the
Vauxhall site and the Leyland Trucks plant.
The Northwest Automotive
Alliance aims to support the development of
world-class standards of excellence in areas such as manufacture
and engineering.
Biomedical
As well as being Europe’s biggest biomanufacturing region, the
Northwest is one of a handful of globally recognised bioscience
communities. Covering a range of life science disciplines including
drug development, research diagnosis and healthcare products, it is
also the UK’s largest exporter of pharmaceuticals. Major employers
include AstraZeneca, Novartis and Lilly.
Bionow® is helping
the region’s biotech industry strengthen its position by assisting
both existing companies and new ventures through strategic
infrastructure programmes and hosting an active network
community.
Chemicals
The chemicals industry covers a number of specialist
manufacturing categories, including agro-chemicals, detergents,
petrochemicals, plastics, coatings and advanced flexible materials.
The sector is the Northwest’s largest exporter, with almost 60% of
its output sold overseas. Companies in the region include Unilever,
Fujifilm and PZ Cussons. Watch a video about the chemicals
manufacturing industry.
Industry-led organisation Chemicals
Northwest aims to support skills development,
innovation and sustainable development.
Digital & Creative
The NWDA is investing directly in MediaCityUK – Europe's first
purpose-built business hub for the digital and creative industries.
MediaCityUK is expected to create more than 15,000 jobs, deliver an
annual £1.5 billion to the Northwest's economy and provide
workspace for more than 1,100 creative and related
businesses.
Cluster organisation Northwest Vision +
Media supports the whole of the digital and creative
industry to help grow a world-class digital and creative economy
within the region.
Energy & Environmental Technologies
Employing more than 50,000 people, the energy and environmental
technologies sector makes a vital contribution to the region’s
economy. Sellafield, in Cumbria, is the UK’s most advanced nuclear
facility, and our offshore oil and gas production supplies 12% of
the UK’s natrual gas requirements. Over 100 renewable energy
companies are working in the Northwest to capitalise on the
region’s sizeable wind and tidal resource. Watch a video about the
Northwest nuclear sector.
Envirolink
Northwest aids the development and growth of the
energy and environmental technologies in the region, helping
companies to grow and expand into new markets and encouraging
innovation.
Food & Drink
The Northwest is not only the country’s largest food and
drink-producing region, it is home to the UK’s highest
concentration of food and drink manufacturing businesses. The
region boasts broad expertise in a number of food manufacturing
areas and major employers include Heinz, Kellogg’s, United
Biscuits, McVities, Nestlé, Fox’s, Princes Foods, Warburtons and
Patak Foods.
Strategic body Food Northwest
supports businesses in the sector through training workshops,
networking meetings, meet-the-buyer events and exhibiting at trade
shows.
Financial & Professional
The Northwest is home to the largest financial and professional
services sector outside London, encompassing retail and corporate
banking, stockbroking, investment, private equity, wealth
management, insurance, law and accountancy.
The Agency’s promotion of inward investment has seen a number of
financial institutions move resources to the Northwest, including
the Bank of New York, Royal Bank of Scotland, JP Morgan and
Deloitte. The region’s financial and professional industries are
supported by networking organisations such as Pro-Manchester
and Professional
Liverpool.