Exploring Emerging and Future Opportunities in the West Midlands Combined Authority Region

This report written for the WMCA by the Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) and City-REDI explores how existing industries and new technologies interact to shape emerging and future economic clusters in the region. It introduces a framework based on four ecosystems—Business, Innovation, Investment & FDI, and Talent—to assess 22 opportunity areas. Quantitative analysis, supported by spatial firm-level data, identifies high-potential sectors such as Future Logistics, Defence, and Hydrogen, while qualitative stakeholder insights highlight barriers like skills gaps and infrastructure constraints. International comparisons reinforce the region's strategic focus. The study offers a prioritisation model combining data and expert perspectives to guide long-term growth, innovation, and investment strategies across the WMCA.