Economic Opportunities
Jul 1 2022
Local businesses helped by Business Gateway during 12-month period topped £2billion turnover
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Observatory
Latest data and research for our region
The Midlands Engine Observatory is an alliance of leading academic researchers and economic and industry experts, working together to deliver the regionally focused research and analysis our partners need to inform decision making and policy creation, for every part of the Midlands.
The only pan-regional Observatory in England, it ensures that we are evidence led and that we have a deep understanding of the issues impacting the Midlands.
The Observatory is funded by the Midlands Engine and our partners – in particular, our academic partners who co-invest in all the research we produce together. Experts are drawn from the Midlands’ own universities, partner institutions and private sector organisations, maximising the vast knowledge potential of our region.
Work is overseen and guided by a Programme Board, which in turn reports to the Operating Board of the Midlands Engine, ensuring partnership decision-making is underpinned by contemporary data and emerging evidence. The work of our Observatory continues to grow in breadth and significance; a critical driver of the pan-regional work we undertake, together.
Latest data and research
The Observatory publishes data and intelligence for the benefit of policymakers across our region, designed to ensure our partnership is kept fully iformed with a growing, robust evidence base.
Read the latest reports from the Observatory
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Advanced ceramics – an industry of the future
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Midlands Engine – Health & life sciences
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Midlands Engine Partnership – Key facts, strengths & barriers to growth
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An opportunity to develop the UK supply base of the NHS
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Regional Economic Impact Monitor: Deep Dive on Digital
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Midlands Manufacturing Opportunities
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Midlands Engine Makes
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Regional Economic Impact Monitor: Edition 20
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State of Social Enterprise: 2021
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State of The Region 2021: Executive Summary
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Accelerating the Transition to Net-Zero Emission
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Midlands Engine Intelligence Hub
Instant access to contemporary data and insights
The Midlands Engine Intelligence Hub provides a single, interactive portal for a wealth of up-to-the-minute pan-regional data, research and expert insights. This unique tool can help to inform decision-making around key investments and policy formulation for economic and social benefit in the Midlands.
Key features of the Intelligence Hub include: new live and interactive data and power BI dashboards, spatial visualisations, intelligence briefings, insight pieces from regional experts, and commissioned deep-dive research.
State of the Region Report 2021
Identifying the impact of Covid-19 and EU Exit on our region
For the first time, the State of the Region report is available online as part of a dedicated microsite. Here, users can engage with the data supporting the report presented in a suite of PowerBi dashboards, interactive maps, intelligence briefings and in-depth analysis.
Midlands Engine Research Partnership
The Midlands Engine Research Partnership provides a forum for universities from across the Midlands to scope areas of research needed by the Midlands Engine, steer research, collaborate, secure external funding for projects and contribute to key policy reviews and strategy formulation for the Midlands Engine.
Midlands Engine Intelligence Community
The Midlands Engine Intelligence Community (MEIC) is a forum for our valued partners to discuss and contribute to the work of the Observatory, hear updates on key research activities and share data and best practice.
If you are a data owner or engage with research and intelligence linked to any aspect of the Midlands economy, we would welcome your input to help shape the work of the Observatory and accelerate our work to grow our regional economy.
Latest News
Transport
Jun 30 2022
Midlands councils in £1million electric vehicle charging point bid
A partnership of five local authorities across the Midlands region, alongside Sub-National Transport Body Midlands Connect have submitted a bid for almost £1million in funding, as part of Government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Pilot.
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Economic Opportunities
Jun 29 2022
£18 million Marches investment creates more than 80 new jobs
A combined £18million investment by three separate foreign-owned companies in Herefordshire will create more than 80 new jobs across the county – thanks to support from the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership.
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