Understanding inward investment support
in the Midlands

Freeports

The Freeports will drive the economy across the region they are based in. They bring together local government, the private sector, and other key partners, with long-term backing from central government, to deliver a shared economic vision.

Freeports offer a range of benefits for businesses, including tax reliefs on specific sites, an ambitious programme of public investment, and dedicated support for innovation and international trade. We are already seeing how attractive Freeports are for international investors: in just two years, they have already generated £2.9 billion in investment, which will in turn create 6,000 jobs.

A Freeport is a partnership between the public and private sectors. Freeports are run by a board made up of businesses and local councils, who play the key role of ensuring democratic accountability, transparency, and inclusivity.

Investment Zones

Investment Zones are located in areas with existing local strengths and significant untapped potential. They will deploy a range of interventions – including tax reliefs, planning mechanisms and innovation, skills and business support – to unlock opportunities for business and address barriers to private sector growth, creating more high-quality jobs for communities across the country.

Each Investment Zone is focussed on supporting the growth of at least 1 of the following 5 priority sectors:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Creative industries
• Digital and tech
• Green industries
• Life sciences

West Midlands Global Growth Programme

Fully funded support for international companies to enter and scale in the UK market.

The West Midlands is the UK’s leading region for Foreign Direct Investment, providing international companies access to world-class research institutions, specialist talent, and funded business support. Benefit from fast connections to London with lower business overheads.
Work with our team of experts who are deeply connected within the West Midlands and the wider UK market. Easily relocate with our fully sponsored office space and become part of the fastest-growing tech cluster in the UK.

Science & Innovation Parks

A Science & Innovation Park is a specialized hub that fosters the development of cutting-edge research, technology, and business innovation.

Typically affiliated with universities, research institutions, or technology companies, these parks provide a collaborative environment where startups, established firms, and academic researchers can work together.

Science & Innovation Parks will often benefit from:

• State-of-the-art laboratories
• Office space for co-location
• Incubator space to support commercialisation
• Access to funding and resources

Life Science Opportunity Zones

Life Science Opportunity Zones (LSOZs) are a prestigious status awarded by the UK Government to highlight and promote life science parks and specific opportunity areas at a national and international level to potential investors.

They benefit from engagement with government ministers and officials from the Department for Business & Trade and the Office for Life Sciences.

Food Enterprise Zones

Food Enterprise Zones (FEZs) were created to unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of the countryside and food producers. The zones aim to free up food and farming businesses, making it simpler and easier for them to grow, and attract new businesses. Local communities benefit from new jobs and the opportunity to develop local produce, boosting their economies. Grants of up to £50,000 were initially available to set up the FEZs, with support for simplifying the planning process for food and farming businesses that want to expand.

As well as attracting investment, the Food Enterprise Zones encourage closer ties between food and farming businesses to boost the domestic food and farming sector, allowing for more local decision making on planning and development issues involving food and farming businesses.

Enterprise Zones

Enterprise Zones were part of the UK Government’s wider Industrial Strategy to support businesses and enable local economic growth. The first group of zones were launched in 2012, with further zones announced in 2016 and 2017.

Government-backed benefits for Enterprise Zones came to an end in 2021 and 2022.