Midlands Engine Observatory Legacy

The EIU delivered the Midlands Engine Observatory (MEO), part of the wider Midlands Engine Pan-Regional Partnership (PRP), until its closure in March 2025 following a decision by the UK Government. Established to support evidence-led regional development, the MEO was created as the analytical and intelligence arm of the Midlands Engine PRP - a collaborative initiative bringing together local authorities, combined authorities, universities, LEPs and businesses to champion regional growth.

The Midlands Engine was the most advanced regional partnership and was endorsed by the UK Government to strengthen the regional voice, align local and national priorities, drive policy change and unlock investment at scale. Under its remit through the MEO, The EIU harnessed regional strengths and expertise to deliver research and intelligence that informed policy, supported investment, and drove recovery and growth across the Midlands. As England’s first pan-regional observatory, the MEO brought together leading academic, economic, and industry experts to provide regionally focused research and analysis for partners across the Midlands.

Key activity delivered by The EIU under the MEO banner included:

Developing a robust evidence base to support the region’s growth, by producing several reports and resources, including input into the UK’s new Industrial Strategy and major cluster/sector programme.

• Case Study: Midlands Engine Clusters Project.
• Case Study: Midlands Engine Independent Economic Review.
• Case Study: Midlands Economic Intelligence.

Creation and maintenance of live online tools such as the Midlands Growth Story, State of the Sub-Region, and the Observatory website.

• Case Study: Midlands Engine Growth Story.

Leading and managing the Midlands Engine’s £1m match-funded research and policy programme.

• Case Study: Midlands Engine Research & Policy Programme.

Delivering high-impact events, including Economic Briefings and convening partners through the Research, Intelligence and Policy Partnership (RIPP).

• Case Study: Midlands Engine Observatory Events.

As part of the MEO’s legacy, all major outputs — including research reports, think pieces, scorecards, factsheets and more - are now available via The EIU’s online resource library.

Access the Midlands Engine Observatory Website here (live until March 2026).

Access the Midlands Growth Story website here.