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The Marches is a thriving, successful place to live and do business, with an exceptional quality of life and natural environment and strong communities.
Businesses, local authorities, education and third sector organisations are ambitious for growth and are committed to working together to invest in the prosperity of our businesses and residents.
The Marches is home to global manufacturers and well-established supply chains of SMEs in the diverse and distinct strengths of metals, machinery, materials and automotive.
With its central role in the first industrial revolution at Ironbridge, the Marches has a long history of engineering innovation. Today, the Marches has a significant manufacturing sector with more than 26,800 jobs, contributing £2.3bn to its economy.
Learn moreThis core sector supports 47,000 jobs including large firms such as Capgemini, Staffline Group and ReAssure. There are 7,470 businesses in the business and professional services (BPS) sector as a whole, which contributes 24.3% of our GVA.
The finance and real estate sub-sectors are dominated by micro businesses and, in terms of overall size and output, the sector is broadly comparable to similar LEP economies.
Learn moreOur rich agricultural sector provides the base for a strong food and drink sector characterised by international companies. The legacy and heritage of the Marches as a farming region has evolved into a nationally significant food and drink sector with over 9,000 jobs.
With specialisations in cider and fruit wines, meat and dairy processing, a number of international companies have a presence in the Marches.
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Nationally significant strengths in anaerobic digestion coupled with the opportunity to become world leaders.
An internationally recognised defence and security sector with an emerging cyber cluster in ‘Cyber Valley’ specialising in business security.
A nationally significant agri-tech cluster of engineering and precision farming with Harper Adams University at its core.
An ageing population in a rural area offers innovative health and social care approaches and opportunities.
Businesses, local authorities, education and third sector organisations are ambitious for growth and are committed to working together to invest in the prosperity of our businesses and residents.
Learn moreOur economic strategy combines our vision and values with a clear plan towards achieving our ambitions for significant growth by 2038.
Learn moreOur economic strategy combines our vision and values with a clear plan towards achieving our ambitions for significant growth by 2038.
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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.
The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.
The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.
We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.
The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.
The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk
For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk
For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk
The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com