The East Midlands Combined County Authority has outlined new priorities to position the region as a leader in green and advanced manufacturing industries.
A new Innovation Roadmap, commissioned from the University of Nottingham, identifies four high-growth clusters: zero-emission propulsion, sustainable advanced manufacturing, renewable energy and green construction, and nuclear. The roadmap forms part of the £160 million East Midlands Investment Zone programme, which aims to boost productivity, accelerate product development, and attract private investment.
The initiative supports the forthcoming East Midlands Investment Zone Strategy and the region’s Growth Plan, focusing on creating jobs, expanding business activity, and strengthening export performance.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said the programme represents a transformational step for the region: “The East Midlands Investment Zone provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the people in our region. We are investing in the skills, innovation, and infrastructure that will create thousands of well-paid jobs and make the East Midlands a magnet for clean energy industries and advanced manufacturing. This first year of delivery has built strong foundations for the future, and we are determined to go further – attracting more private investment, supporting local businesses to grow, and ensuring every community can share in the benefits of this new era for our region. This is inclusive growth in action.”
The roadmap highlights four key requirements for businesses and investors: accessible innovation facilities, dedicated demonstration programmes to commercialise new technologies, support for technology adoption, and workforce development aligned with emerging industry needs.
More than 170 stakeholders from business, academia, and regional networks contributed to the roadmap through consultations and workshops. The University of Nottingham led the project with input from the universities of Derby and Nottingham Trent, alongside industry partners including the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, Nuclear Collaboration Ltd, Qinesis, East Midlands Manufacturing Network, and Ecologic Homes Consultancy.
The EMIZ programme will now move to implementation, targeting the creation of over 4,000 jobs and an estimated £380 million in private investment within the next decade.
