According to recent reports from Northern Powerhouse, East Riding of Yorkshire has demonstrated exceptional economic growth, boasting an average annual growth rate of 3.5%—the highest of any individual council area in Yorkshire. This impressive growth rate underscores the region’s strong economic potential and reinforces its position as a prime destination for business investment.
The Role of the Inward Investment Team
At Invest East Yorkshire, our Inward Investment Team plays a vital role in attracting, supporting, and facilitating both UK and Foreign Direct Investments in the region. As a dedicated resource for businesses looking to establish or expand their operations, the team provides expert guidance and practical support to help companies navigate the investment process effectively.
Our key responsibilities include:
- Promoting East Yorkshire as a prime investment location, showcasing its strategic advantages, infrastructure, and business ecosystem.
- Helping businesses find suitable sites and premises that meet their specific operational requirements.
- Assisting with infrastructure development to ensure businesses have the right conditions to thrive.
- Providing access to grants, funding opportunities, and financial incentives to encourage business growth, innovation, and sustainability.
- Liaising with key council departments, such as planning, skills and recruitment, business support services, and highways, to streamline the investment process.
- By offering tailored, hands-on support, the team ensures that businesses can access the resources they need to grow, create jobs, and contribute to the local economy.
Success Stories: Major Investments in East Yorkshire
Siemens Mobility: A £200 Million Manufacturing Facility in Goole
One of the most significant investments secured by the Inward Investment Team is Siemens Mobility’s £200 million train manufacturing facility in Goole. Since 2016, the team has worked closely with Siemens to build a strong business case for Goole, providing support in site selection, planning, and workforce development.
Metsä Tissue: Strengthening Sustainable Manufacturing in the Humber
Another major success is Metsä Tissue’s proposed state-of-the-art tissue paper mill in Goole, which will be the largest of its kind in the UK. Situated within the Humber Freeport, the facility will create over 400 direct jobs and thousands more in the supply chain, reinforcing East Yorkshire’s role as a centre for sustainable manufacturing.
The Inward Investment team has worked closely with Metsä Tissue throughout the investment process. Support has included identifying an appropriate site, linking the company with local supply chains, and providing planning guidance. The project aligns with regional and national sustainability goals by reducing the UK’s reliance on imported tissue products and fostering a greener supply chain.
The Inward Investment Team continues to work with businesses of all sizes, helping them navigate the investment landscape and ensuring they have the support they need to succeed.
A Future Built on Innovation and Investment
The team is currently working alongside Equinor to support the development of Hydrogen to Humber (H2H) Saltend, a 600-megawatt low-carbon hydrogen production plant at Saltend Chemicals Park. This facility will convert natural gas into hydrogen while capturing and storing the resulting CO₂ emissions offshore, achieving a CO₂ capture efficiency of at least 95%. The hydrogen produced will supply local industries, helping to decarbonise power generation and chemical manufacturing processes.
In addition, Pensana is developing a pioneering rare earth processing facility at Saltend Chemicals Park in the Humber region. This £195 million project aims to establish an independent and sustainable supply chain for rare earth metals, which are critical to the energy transition. The facility is expected to produce approximately 12,500 tonnes of rare earth products annually, including 4,500 tonnes of neodymium and praseodymium oxide—essential components for manufacturing permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, offshore wind turbines, and other clean energy technologies.
Councillor Anne Handley, East Riding of Yorkshire Council Leader and portfolio holder for Economic Growth said, “It’s fantastic to see the East Riding Inward Investment team’s hard work in spurring economic growth and job creation, come to fruition. By providing strategic support, unlocking key development sites, and fostering long-term business relationships, the team ensures that East Yorkshire remains a prime destination for inward investment. I’m proud that the East Riding maintains a welcoming business environment, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council will continue to facilitate businesses looking to enter the region.”
