Sector strengths

Cyber

Cheltenham’s key growth sector is cyber and is recognised as the ‘cradle of cyber innovation for the UK' and a hot spot for both cyber and digital businesses. With 11 times the national average, Cheltenham has one of the highest densities of cyber and digital businesses anywhere in the country outside of London.

Home to GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) and the National Cyber Security Centre, Cheltenham has a long established and thriving cyber ecosystem and has attracted some of the world’s leading names such as Microsoft, Apple and IBM who now rub shoulders with innovators, start-ups and the UK’s brightest academic minds.

The emerging £400 million Golden Valley Development – home of Cyber Central UK, which is planned for the west of the town, will only strengthen Cheltenham’s position as the UK’s cyber-tech capital.

Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing

Another of Cheltenham’s sector strengths is in Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing. Home to some of the UK’s leading companies, including GE Aviation and Spirax Sarco whilst a significant cluster of other world-leading engineering and manufacturing businesses can be found across Gloucestershire as a whole, including Moog, Safran and Renishaw.

Agri-tech

As a county, Gloucestershire houses the UK’s largest network of agri-tech SMEs, some of the world’s most recognised names in the agri-food sector like Campden BRI and two of the UK’s leading agriculturally focused universities, making the county the first choice for prominent agri-tech businesses, research and innovation.

Renewables

Gloucestershire’s ambition is to become the greenest place to live and work in England. As a county, we’re already home to leading green companies such as Ecotricity, McKerrow Engineering, Tidal Lagoon Power and Green Fuels – so we’re building on these capabilities and our famous natural capital to achieve our goal of being carbon neutral county by 2050.