England's South West
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Leading the development of wave and tidal
energy in the UK
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World leaders in animation
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The largest aerospace cluster in the
UK
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The 'Silicon Valley' of
Europe
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Home to more than a thousand of the
world’s finest marine scientists
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Foremost in the reduction of agricultural
emissions
Business sectors
Businesses thrive in the South West but some
sectors in particular attract national and international
attention.
Aerospace and defence - The region
has one of the largest and most significant aerospace clusters in
the world. Ten of the top 11 aerospace companies in the UK have
headquarters or major facilities here.
Biomedical - The
South West of England is renowned across the world for bio
manufacture, bio diagnostics and marine biotechnology.
Creative industries
- The South West has the second largest creative industries sector
outside London and was named as a Creative Industries National
Exemplar in the UK government's Creative Britain plan, published in
February 2008.
Environmental
technologies - The South West leads the world in the
development of wave energy technology and was recently designated
the UK’s first Low Carbon Economic Area by the government because
of its global strengths in marine energy.
Marine - The South West is widely
associated with its long coastline and established relationship
with the marine environment, and the region has unique strengths in
both research and industry that underpins this.
Microelectronics -
The area around Bristol and Bath is home to the biggest silicon
design cluster anywhere in the world outside Silicon Valley,
influencing everything from mobile communications and the
development of the internet to digital TV.
Food and agriculture - The South West
has the largest agricultural area in England, as well as over 30%
of the UK’s dairy production. It is one of the strongest food and
drink producing regions and a highly innovative and focused
business region.
Regional expertise
There are 13
higher education institutions in the South West: eight universities
and five higher education colleges. Many Public Sector
Research Establishments, such as the Met Office and the Health
Protection Agency also have a presence in the South West.
Science City Bristol
The Bristol city region was designated one of six Science Cities
by the Government in 2005 in recognition of its outstanding
achievements and strengths in science.