is the crown jewel for UK exports
is rapidly growing, with turnover of over £12.4billion in 2020
second only to the US
around 70% exhibitors are expected from outside the UK
The strong military presence in the area and the proximity of three airports (including Gatwick and Heathrow) has resulted in a significant cluster aerospace and defence activities capable of delivering whole-aircraft capability. We have expertise in aero structures, propulsion, systems, aircraft interiors and through-life services.
Several world leading aerospace and defence businesses such as BAE Systems, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, GE Aviation, Britten-Norman [the UK’s only civil A2 approved aircraft manufacturer] and Gulfstream have a significant presence. Hampshire is the place to invest in the aerospace sector.
The business environment also includes a world leading academic cluster and access to cutting edge research and technology. The region is a hub for innovation, encompassing artificial intelligence (AI), digitalisation, autonomy, space propulsion systems; serving multiple sectors including aerospace, automotive and marine.
Significant assets include the University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, Roke, NATS and QinetiQ; a world-centre of excellence in research and development offering outstanding experimentation facilities, technical, engineering, and scientific expertise.
In addition to a substantial number of aerospace and defence firms, the area is home to a large, advanced engineering supply chain. The number of advanced engineering employees and engineering firms is higher than national average. Almost 9 out of 10 of aerospace businesses in the Farnborough region undertake innovation-related activities.
The regions space sector generates more than £9bn and represents 7% of the UK Space industry. Hampshire has more than 180 companies operating in the space and satellite sector, engaged in high-tech innovative work, employing more than 3000 people.
The Centre of Excellence for Satellite Applications located within the University of Portsmouth work with the UK Space Agency and the industry and the science base in Hampshire to accelerate the growth. World leading players based here include InSpace Missions, NanoAvionics, Airbus UK, Lockheed Martin, QinetiQ, BAE Systems, ICEYE and Viasat.
These companies are at the heart of the space sector in the region.
Farnborough Airport is a key economic asset for Hampshire and the UK, being Europe’s premier business aviation airport. It is also the location for the world-famous International Air show that attracts more than 80,000 trade visitors from more than 112 countries.
Jet Zero is a strategic regional response as part of Hampshire County Councils wider work on the aerospace sector and green economic transition, which is set against the Government’s national strategy to achieve net zero in aviation by 2050.
We work with industry and other partners to facilitate greener aviation across key areas, from sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), advanced materials and airport operations (including hydrogen fuel storage) to developing / deploying new technologies and systems, and next generation aircraft that offer the potential for no tailpipe CO2 emissions.
We have identified an emerging cluster with over 150 businesses with interests in Jet Zero (with a high proportion of these companies having between 1-10 employees) which between them have attracted over £24million in Innovate UK funding targeted at Jet Zero related projects.
An important aspect of the emerging cluster are ‘anchor firms’ such as Boeing, BAE Systems, Thales, Gulfstream Aerospace, QinetiQ, and Farnborough Airport, and other local niche businesses, intermediaries, and specialist providers from Farnborough Aerospace Consortium, Farnborough College of Technology, TISCIS, and the Universities of Surrey and Southampton.
We have set up a task force to work on priorities to grow this cluster including improving supply / value chain activities, global positioning to aid business expansion and inward investment, and strategic alignment to the wider innovation ecosystem.
The Business Hampshire team are here to help you make the most of your business potential. Whether you have questions about the recruitment of skilled staff, require information and/or access to the centres of innovation and research or connections to educational, research and business support organisations our team are ready to provide all the support you need.
For more information contact Business Hampshire directly at businesshampshire@hants.gov.uk.
If you are looking for space to relocate or grow your business, take a look at some sector specific development and properties within our Hampshire Portfolio:
Business Hampshire is the economic development service of Hampshire County Council.
© Hampshire County Council 2024