WESSEX · DEVOLUTION-WIDE INVESTMENT

Wessex: ancient roots, modern excellence.

A single investment proposition spanning Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole — bringing together nationally significant strengths in security, health, energy, food, finance and advanced engineering as devolution renews the region.

STRATEGIC POSITIONING

A region-wide story, not a county-by-county one.

Wessex reunifies some of southern England's most significant economic assets — nationally important defence and security infrastructure, a globally recognised life sciences base, critical energy and food production capacity, a major financial services cluster, and a growing digital and advanced engineering economy — all within Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and BCP.

As devolution restores how this region is governed and promoted, Invest in Wessex brings these strengths together into one coherent investment story: not a new identity, but a clearer articulation of what's already here, and what it adds up to at scale.

Home to 1.9 million people and 80,000 enterprises, Wessex is a place where outstanding landscapes and World Heritage Sites sit alongside globally significant industry — where the ancient and the modern are united by excellence.

SECTORS

Where Wessex's strengths are concentrated.

DEFENCE & SECURITY

Military & Defence

A critical UK location for security assets — Army, Navy and RAF bases, and global secure communications infrastructure.

HEALTH SECURITY

Life Sciences & Health

Global life sciences and healthcare excellence, anchored by nationally significant health protection capability.

ENERGY SECURITY

Energy & Clean Power

Nuclear, wind and solar generation, plus emerging tidal and hydrogen capability — a genuine cross-section of the UK's energy mix.

FOOD SECURITY

Agri-Tech & Food

10% of England's farm holdings and 21,500 agricultural workers, driving innovation in food production and sustainability.

ADVANCED ENGINEERING

Aerospace & Manufacturing

A global aerospace cluster sitting alongside an internationally recognised base in rail, electronics and robotics.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Finance & Professional Services

The UK's fourth-largest financial services cluster, providing depth and stability alongside the region's innovation economy.

DIGITAL & TECH

Digi-Tech & Growth Zones

Digital infrastructure and investment-ready growth zones supporting the next generation of tech-led business.

CULTURE & PLACE

Culture, Screen & Sport

Iconic film locations and studios, world-class music and culture, and sporting heritage from cricket to rugby — the creative and events economy behind the investment case.

KEY MESSAGES

What we want investors to understand.

A region of scale

1.9 million people and 80,000 enterprises across Wiltshire, Somerset, Dorset and BCP — a genuine economic region, not a collection of unconnected counties.

Nationally significant

Few UK regions can demonstrate this concentration of nationally important assets across defence, health security, energy and food production simultaneously.

Built for collaboration

Devolution creates the opportunity for a single, coherent voice — bringing together local authorities, businesses and partners behind one investment story.

Ancient and modern, together

Outstanding landscapes, World Heritage Sites and cultural icons sit alongside globally significant industry — Wessex doesn't have to choose between heritage and innovation.

One region. One story.

From business support to skills advice; scale up to startup; inward investment to funding opportunities. Get in touch to find out more.