Northumberland County Council is currently developing a new Economic Strategy for Northumberland that sets out a clear framework for sustainable and inclusive growth. The aim is simple: identify and support the sectors creating the greatest impact, create good jobs, tackle the challenges holding people and businesses back, and make sure investment and workforce planning are properly aligned for the decade ahead.
Last week, we brought together some of Northumberland’s most forward-thinking businesses including Osbit, Transmission Dynamics, Tharsus, Vindolanda, Reheat, Metrology Software Products, along with partners such as Education Partnership North East, Visit Northumberland, ORE Catapult, Food and Drink North East and Forestry England.
The goal wasn’t just to talk, it was to listen and understand how the emerging Northumberland Economic Strategy 2026–2036 can genuinely support growth, open up opportunities, and help us all pull in the same direction. The feedback reinforced both the strength of our approach and the need to move quickly.
The county is alive with investment: JDR Cables are on the cusp of opening their new £130m state-of-the-art subsea cable manufacturing facility in Cambois and QTS are powering the development of our digital and AI sector with 1,200 new jobs in their £10bn Data Centre project. Our world-class R&D at Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult is expanding rapidly with the opening of the new Technology Development Centre, set to support SME’s creating critical offshore wind technology and the new HV cable testing facility which is currently under development. We are evolving and growing at pace and it's time to build on our recent success as we journey forward.
Northumberland is stepping into a decade of major change. Our Framework for Economic Growth points to four big forces shaping our future: rapid advances in technology and AI, the push for clean energy and energy security, demographic shifts, and wider geopolitical uncertainty. These aren’t distant ideas they’re already influencing how businesses invest, recruit, and plan for the future.
That’s why the emerging strategy focuses on four themes that sit at the heart of long-term growth for the County:
Excellence in Place – Making the most of our natural environment, the quality of life we offer, and our strong education and skills foundations.
Thriving People – Ensuring everyone has the skills and opportunities they need in a changing economy.
Enterprise and Innovation – Strengthening collaboration, research, and applied innovation across the county.
Investment and Market Opportunity – Creating the right conditions for businesses to grow, expand, and attract new investment.
A key part of Northumberland’s story is recognising what makes the county tick. Our Foundational Economy; sectors like tourism, agriculture, forestry, health and social care, retail and construction provide the ingredients that keep our economy running, from enabling a happy and healthy workforce, supporting the production of high-quality local food, building our homes and business parks, and driving trade to our towns and highstreets. Alongside supporting the Foundational Economy, we will build on the areas where have real strengths: Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering, Digital and AI, Life Sciences, and Offshore Renewable Energy.
These industries are not only competitive at a national level; they’re also well aligned to the ambitions of the Invest2035 Industrial Strategy and the North East Local Growth Plan. From automation and AI to clean energy, they’re central to the county’s future.
Our recent session highlighted several important messages. Businesses want faster progress on digital skills and lifelong learning, especially to meet growing demand for AI and tech capabilities. Energy security and high-quality digital infrastructure came through as essential foundations for growth. There was also real enthusiasm for Northumberland expanding on its reputation as a testbed for new and emerging technologies, building on our innovation heritage and assets like the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in Blyth.
We also discussed the practical levers needed to deliver growth: speeding up access to strategic investment sites, particularly those with energy capacity such as Blyth Energy Central and the North East AI Growth Zone; and unlocking new funding, including the proposed up to £110m Growth Endowment Investment Fund (GEIF), so that businesses of all sizes can benefit.
The room was filled with a distinctive spirit of collaboration and engagement, with acknowledgement of both individual and collective roles in Northumberland’s growth and prosperity. Many attendees saw this as a pivotal moment for Northumberland's economy both nationally and importantly locally too, with renewed optimism about what major agendas such as the AI Growth Zone, continuing expansion of the Ports and Northumberland Line, and delivery of the Destination Management Plan will have on the Northumberland’s outcomes.
Northumberland will enter this ten-year Economic Strategy in an unusually strong position, with growth sectors well aligned to the Invest2035 strategy, resilient local businesses with a strong track record of delivery on expansionary investment, and a catalytic Growth Endowment Investment Fund (GIEF) for activity and investment. In the short-term, public and private sector must continue the collaboration and drive evidenced to design the innovation, skills, and physical infrastructure activity that will power Northumberland forward in the initial phases of the GEIF, and seed a sustainable economic legacy and spillover benefits long into Northumberland’s future.
The Northumberland Economic Strategy 2026–2036 is much more than a policy document. It’s a shared call to action and a plan for inclusive, long-term growth across the county. By bringing together public and private investment, supporting innovation, and working closely with partners across the community, education, and research sectors, we can build a workforce ready for the future and open up new opportunities for people and businesses alike.
Our key take away from the event is that Northumberland has the assets, the ambition, and the partnerships to lead. Now our job is to turn that potential into reality and build a thriving, resilient economy for generations to come.
Maria Antoniou – Head of Economic Development - Northumberland County Council
Michael Clifford – Director – Economic Advisory - EY
If you want to be part of Northumberland’s growth story please get in touch to understand how we can support your ambitions.