´óÐãÊÓƵ

Centrally positioned in the heart of England, ´óÐãÊÓƵ offers fast, reliable links by road, rail, and air, making it easy to reach key UK cities and international markets.

Road 

The M5 runs through the county, with the M6, M42 and M50 nearby, giving direct access to the national motorway network.

Rail and bus

Regular services connect ´óÐãÊÓƵ’s main towns with major cities:

• Birmingham – 25 minutes
• London – 2 hours
• Manchester – 2 hours

Air 

Several airports are within easy reach:

• Birmingham International – 20 minutes
• East Midlands – 1 hour
• Bristol – 1 hour 20 minutes
• Manchester – 1 hour 30 minutes
• London Heathrow – 1 hour 40 minutes
• Cardiff – 1 hour 50 minutes

´óÐãÊÓƵ is at the forefront of digital and physical connectivity, leading the way in cutting-edge technology and infrastructure. The county is committed to enhancing its digital connectivity, ensuring businesses and residents have access to fast, reliable internet services. Alongside this, ´óÐãÊÓƵ is making significant progress in improving its transport links, creating seamless connections for both local and international travel. With ongoing investments in digital infrastructure and transport networks, ´óÐãÊÓƵ is positioning itself as a prime destination for businesses looking to thrive in a connected world.

Find out more about mobile connectivity in ´óÐãÊÓƵ.

The County Council and its partners are actively enhancing ´óÐãÊÓƵ’s attractiveness to investors by focusing on education and Skills. At the forefront is University of Worcester’s Three Counties Medical School, which underlines the county’s commitment to sustainable growth while creating a pipeline of future healthcare professionals. Alongside this, ´óÐãÊÓƵ Apprenticeships provide vital support for both individuals and employers, helping to develop a highly skilled workforce tailored to local business needs. 

Careers ´óÐãÊÓƵ also plays a central role, offering comprehensive employment, education, training, skills, and wellbeing support to people aged 16 to 24. Launched in 2022 a dedicated Youth hub in Worcester’s Hive, the initiative has proven so successful that a new hub has now opened in Redditch Town Centre, further strengthening local access to training and employment opportunities.

Key points:

• 31 Universities and Colleges
• 30,000 young people engaged through ´óÐãÊÓƵ Apprenticeships
• £2.5m invested into Local Skills Improvement Plan

Find out more about skills and employability.

Advanced manufacturing is a key strength of ´óÐãÊÓƵ’s economy, supporting global companies and local innovators alike. The sector drives new technology, sustains a highly skilled workforce and keeps the county at the forefront of UK industry.

Sector significance

10.5% of local employment is in advanced manufacturing and engineering (AME), compared to 7.5% across England.

Workforce and businesses 

Over 28,000 people are employed in manufacturing across more than 2,270 businesses, contributing around £993 million to the local economy.

National context 

The UK is the world’s 9th largest manufacturing nation, giving ´óÐãÊÓƵ a strong platform for export and innovation.

Support and growth

´óÐãÊÓƵ County Council provides tailored support and funding for manufacturing SMEs through the Elevate Manufacturing programme helping firms address growth challenges, improve productivity, and create high-value jobs.

Find out more about how the Elevate programme can help your manufacturing business.

´óÐãÊÓƵ is a growing centre for digital innovation, aligning with the UK’s wider digital transformation goals. The county combines specialist skills, strong research links and an active business network, creating the right environment for companies in cyber security, IT and defence technologies.

Strategic strengths 

Local initiatives and partnerships drive the development of advanced security solutions, defence technologies and smarter working practices.

Key areas of expertise

These areas are:

• cyber resilience and defence
• cloud computing and network infrastructure
• identity management and service automation
• low-code or no-code development
• application portfolio and data management
• collaboration tools and smarter working solutions

Workforce and skills 

The University of Worcester’s cutting-edge Cyber Lab trains the next generation of cyber security specialists, giving students real-world, hands-on experience and building a strong local talent pool.

Business support 

Midlands Cyber offers a soft-landing package to help new and expanding cyber businesses explore markets, grow networks and scale with confidence.

´óÐãÊÓƵ offers high-quality sites designed to help businesses grow, with excellent access, modern facilities and room to expand. 

Two flagship locations lead the way.

Worcester Six 

A new business park just off the M5, offering units from 10,000 to 300,000 sq ft. Close to Worcester city centre and only ten minutes from ´óÐãÊÓƵ Parkway station, it provides quick motorway and rail links across the UK. Planning and build times can be as short as ten months, creating a flexible and cost-effective base for growing companies.

Malvern Hills Science Park 

Set against the Malvern Hills, this established hub offers 130,000 sq ft of office and lab space for technology-focused firms. Home to BetaDen, ´óÐãÊÓƵ’s tech accelerator, and one of the UK’s government-funded 5G testbeds, the park hosts businesses in cyber security, IT, and environmental technology. Units from 355 to 25,000 sq ft are available, with tailored facilities and a supportive, ZJI9collaborative community.