The summit, co-hosted by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Secretary of State for Business and Trade Peter Kyle, and Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, is showcasing the new West Midlands Major Investment Prospectus to senior business leaders, international investors, and policymakers from across the UK and beyond.
The City of Wolverhampton economy is forecast to grow by 43 per cent over the next 15 years, with a bold plan for city regeneration that builds on major successes including the £1billion i54 business park, £150million transport interchange and National Brownfield Institute at the University of Wolverhampton. The city’s Commercial District is also home to the second headquarters of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government – the first of its kind outside London.
Major Wolverhampton opportunities included in the regional prospectus are the Green Innovation Corridor (GIC), Central Edge and city centre masterplan developments.
GIC connects key assets at the University of Wolverhampton’s Springfield Campus, Science Park, and i54 – one of the country’s most successful Enterprise Zones.
It is poised to revolutionise sustainable manufacturing through cutting-edge technologies in additive materials, green construction and green computing. It will leverage Wolverhampton and the West Midlands’ internationally-recognised advanced manufacturing strengths – particularly in automotive, aerospace and related sectors.
City of Wolverhampton Council and the University of Wolverhampton are particularly keen to hear from parties interested in joining them in a partnership to redevelop all or part of the GIC, to attract major investment and curate a distinctive innovation district.
The scheme has already secured £27million funding from UK Government and has attained West Midlands Investment Zone status, helping unlock transformational capital funding, business support and skills programmes.
Plans for The Central Edge economic growth zone in Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire to further boost innovation and employment are taking shape.
Broadening out from the i54 site on the Wolverhampton/South Staffordshire border, The Central Edge area consists of Wolverhampton’s Green Innovation Corridor (GIC) and significant sustainable logistics and advanced manufacturing locations in South Staffordshire.
It will provide a unique business ecosystem – giving partners and investors the edge in advanced manufacturing, innovation-led R&D and green/sustainable technologies, right at the centre of the country. More importantly, it will provide tens of thousands of new jobs for local people.
Wolverhampton is already transforming its city centre, with the first homes coming out of the ground on Wavensmere Homes’ £150million Canalside South scheme – delivering 530 energy-efficient homes on a brownfield site, complemented by a range of new commercial and community amenities.
The bold masterplan vision for the regeneration and growth of the city centre provides further opportunities that are integrated within the transport network of road, rail and metro, giving direct links to Birmingham, Manchester and London. With an emphasis on creating high quality residential accommodation, ambitious plans focus on three key sites – Smithgate, St George’s and Brewers Yard – which in total will deliver over 1,500 new homes. Wider plans also include an expanding university campus, a new medical school, and increased student accommodation in response to significant growth in student numbers.
Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “Wolverhampton is a city that delivers. Just look at what’s been achieved - and what’s on the way.
“A new city centre transport interchange, award-winning office developments, thousands of new city centre homes, and a state-of-the-art City Learning Quarter opening to students next month.
“With bold regeneration plans and strong regional partnerships, now is the time for investors and developers to take a closer look at the opportunities here."
The West Midlands Major Investment Prospectus can be viewed at: West Midlands Investment Prospectus 2025
