Our Sectors

Our thriving economy is due in large part to our heritage of research – we spend three times more than the UK average on commercial R&D. This is in addition to the world-class research activity in our leading universities. University of Cambridge has more Nobel Prize winners associated with it than any other university in the world.

Historically, we have been a region for ‘firsts’.  From the first commercial jet liner built at De Havilland to the world’s first radio factory at Marconi; from the discovery of the atom to the birth of optoelectronics and the invention of the first mobile phone; from the first x-ray to the deciphering of DNA and its double-helix structure.  The list goes on and new discoveries and inventions continue to this day.

But what sets the East of England apart is the entrepreneurial spirit that exists here, to develop and capitalise on ideas and inventions. To collaborate and think innovatively about how we bring products to market.

Clusters have grown up around the region, success often breeding success. Supply chains have developed; support services and property options catering to the specific needs of specialist companies.

We have reason to be proud of our region and know that we cannot do justice to the diverse economy that we have here.

In this section, we highlight the key sectors that offer significant potential for international growth.