Resource Library
The Midlands & Defence
Jun 2025
Economy Insights Midlands Engine
This report is the result of in-depth work spearheaded by Midlands Engine Chairman Sir John
Peace and Army’s General Staff to recognise the current and potential economic impact of
a growing defence industry in the Midlands, culminating in a roundtable on 22 May at the
Manufacturing Technology Centre. It builds upon the Midlands Engine’s previous work on
industrial clusters to communicate growth opportunities through a detailed understanding of
business, talent, innovation and investment ‘ecosystems’ in the region. This roundtable and
report brings together, for the first time in this way, the perspectives of all of the relevant
actors in the Midlands’ defence industry: leaders from the Armed Forces, businesses, investors,
universities, and local and national government. It will be the foundation for continued
collaboration to drive new investment into the Midlands leading to greater national security.
