Solihull has fastest growing employment outside London

Latest data released show Solihull is a magnet for business investment and jobs – an area with the fastest growing employment outside London.

The 2015 Office of National Statistics Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES) highlights Solihull’s strong regional position – with overall employment increasing by 16% over the past five years (2010-15), more than double that recorded in England and the West Midlands.

Within this overall growth in job numbers, Solihull has also seen strong growth in private sector, full time employment – increasing by nearly a third – supported by recent investments including Genting UK’s £150 million Resorts World and Changan’s new world class powertrain research centre at Birmingham Business Park.

In terms of business sectors, Solihull has seen a 25% increase in employment growth (+3,700) in manufacturing over the last five years, some of which is down to a strong automotive sector and further investment at Jaguar Land Rover’s Lode Lane plant.

Other sectors performing well include air transport – linked to continuous growth in passenger numbers at Birmingham Airport and financial, professional and business services – highlighted by Bank of Ireland’s recent move to new offices at Friars Gate for their mortgage services.

Emerging sectors in specialist areas such as Scientific Research and Development and Motion Picture, Video and Television Production have both increased by more than two thirds in 2015.

Solihull’s track record of attracting investment and jobs and leading position within the regional economy supports the vision of ‘UK Central Solihull’ – capitalising on the benefits of being home to the High Speed Rail Interchange station and the development opportunity and growth that is planned across the Borough.

Councillor Ian Courts, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Managed Growth, said: “This is yet more evidence that Solihull is one of the strongest performing economies outside London and it is no surprise we contribute around £5.1 billion to UK GDP.

“These figures illustrate that we remain a compelling place to locate and grow your business, and have a highly skilled labour market from which to recruit from.

“With the future potential for UK Central Solihull and HS2 to deliver even more business opportunities and jobs, Solihull has to ability to continue to grow and support the ambitions we have for the borough, as well as playing its part in delivering the West Midlands Combined Authority’s Strategic Economic Plan and the Midlands Engine.”

A UK Central Ambassador and new investor to Solihull, Tim Haywood, Group Finance Director for Interserve, said: “UK Central Solihull is at the heart of the country, with 35 million people within two hours and a global reach through the Airport.

“For us, with our international and UK footprint, it’s an exciting place to be”.

Read more: http://www.solihull.gov.uk/news/ArtMID/820/ArticleID/1429/Solihull-–-the-fastest-growing-labour-market-outside-London