Major developments in Brum

Birmingham is the UK’s second city and one of Europe’s largest urban economies, whose economy grew to around £49bn in 2024, forming the largest part of the wider West Midlands Combined Authority economy, which reached £99.5bn in the same year, making Birmingham the financial, commercial and cultural hub of the region. 

Home to the largest business base outside London and the highest business start-up rate of any major English city, Birmingham combines entrepreneurial energy with business scale. The city accounts for almost a quarter of all business growth across the Core Cities over the last decade and hosts the largest concentration of jobs outside the capital. Birmingham is also one of the UK’s leading professional services centres, home to 19 of the UK’s top 25 accounting firms, while all of the Big Four accountancy firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC) have chosen Birmingham as the location for their largest office outside London. 

A powerhouse for advanced manufacturing, digital technology, financial and professional services, life sciences, clean energy and the creative industries, Birmingham is at the forefront of sectors that will drive the UK’s future growth. Major investments in innovation, research, film and television production, and emerging technologies are strengthening the city’s position as a leading destination for investment and business expansion. 

Birmingham’s success is underpinned by an exceptional talent pipeline. The city has the largest undergraduate student population outside London, with around 80,000 students studying across its universities. Importantly, talent stays here, with around 72% of graduates remaining in Birmingham and the wider region, significantly above many competing locations and providing employers with access to a skilled, diverse and growing workforce. 

At the heart of the UK’s transport network, Birmingham offers unrivalled connectivity. Birmingham Airport connects the city to more than 135 destinations worldwide, while HS2 will place Birmingham just 49 minutes from central London. Combined with digital connectivity that outperforms the national average, this provides businesses with the infrastructure needed to compete and grow nationally and internationally. 

Alongside its economic strengths, Birmingham is a cultural powerhouse. From major sporting events and Premier League football to world-class arts, entertainment and visitor attractions, the city offers an outstanding quality of life. It is also one of the UK’s leading culinary destinations, boasting more Michelin stars than Manchester. With more than 600 parks and green spaces and a canal network larger than Venice’s, Birmingham combines the advantages of a major global city with a highly liveable urban environment. 

Above all, Birmingham is a city of opportunity: ambitious, diverse and outward-looking, with the scale, talent, connectivity and business ecosystem to deliver long-term growth for investors, businesses and communities alike. 

Take a look at the West Midlands Site Selection tool to see the breadth of economic sites and opportunities across the WMCA area. 

Page last updated: 30 September 2026