How we're making it happen
Positioned the West of England as the leading investment destination, unveiling a £17bn pipeline of opportunities through our Investment Prospectus and strengthening relationships with investors, developers, businesses and government at UKREiiF.
Image credit: IDPS, University of Bath
Helped businesses make the most of new technology to increase their productivity and resilience. We have made grants of almost £1m to 72 regional firms and supported 275 businesses to identify and implement technology. And we’ve advised 2,900 businesses on pathways to growth.
Created clearer routes into employment for young people through pioneering skills and work experience programmes. This includes working with over 500 people to inspire them in construction careers and to find apprenticeship opportunities.
Supported 28 companies to expand or move into the region, creating 928 jobs across digital, clean energy, aerospace, and creative industries. Businesses such as Triggerfish, OHB, ReOrbit, Epic and Sora are choosing the West of England as the place to grow.
Secured £25m to invest in creative industries over the next three years, building on the success of Culture West. This supported 45 full-time jobs, provided 109 grants to creative freelancers and reached almost 200,000 people through live events, festivals and exhibitions across the region.
Established a new Business Board, bringing together ten senior leaders from across the region's key sectors to provide strategic insight, strengthen collaboration and help drive sustainable economic growth.
Bristol Temple Quarter: an engine for sustainable and inclusive growth
Bristol Temple Quarter is one of the UK’s biggest urban regeneration schemes, attracting £2bn of private investment. In partnership with Bristol City Council, Homes England, the University of Bristol and Network Rail, we are creating a vibrant new district with affordable homes, high-quality jobs, improved public spaces and sustainable transport connections.
At its heart is the University of Bristol's new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, a globally competitive hub for research, talent and enterprise. Backed by £35m from the Mayoral Combined Authority, the campus was opened in September 2026. The campus strengthens the West’s capabilities in areas such as AI, quantum technologies, engineering biology, advanced materials and the creative industries, and will connect with the West Innovation Arc, the wider Central Bristol and Bath Growth Zone, and regional incubators.
Delivering the Enterprise Campus has already had a significant economic impact, with around 1,200 construction jobs created. 900 more jobs are expected at the campus over the next decade, part of an anticipated £626m economic boost for the West of England. The wider regeneration programme is gathering pace with Muse Places selected to deliver new homes, commercial space and vibrant neighbourhoods.
Improving transport connectivity is also central to the project, with the transformation of Bristol Temple Meads. In September 2026, the award-winning £23m eastern entrance opened, while construction on the new Southern Gateway is due to begin in early 2027. The new modern transport hub will deliver new walking, cycling and public transport links, alongside hundreds of secure cycle parking spaces, bus facilities and a new pedestrian walkway over the River Avon.
Designed with future mass transit in mind, the Southern Gateway is also protecting space for the next generation of public transport in the West of England Transport Vision.
By creating new opportunities to live, work, learn and innovate sustainably, Bristol Temple Quarter is shaping a place that Bristol and the West of England can be proud of, for generations to come.
