The Mayors of the West Midlands and East Midlands have both signed an historic agreement to work closer together for the better of both the regions, delivering benefits for businesses and communities, while reinforcing the Midlands' role in the UK’s economic landscape.
At an event in Coventry, the Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker and the Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward launched the West and East Midlands Compact.
The signing formalises the shared commitment for deeper collaboration between the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).
This is an exciting time for the East and West Midlands. Together, these regions represent a £132.6 billion economy, 147,355 businesses, and a population of 5.2 million. With globally significant clusters in advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, life sciences and clean energy, these areas form a critical part of the UK’s industrial and economic landscape at the very heart of the country.
As both area’s drive Local Growth Plans and momentum for the regions in 2025, this Compact prioritises five initial areas where joint action will have the greatest impact:
- Clusters and Strategic Supply Chains
Strengthen and expand sustainable industrial clusters and strategic supply chains across both regions.
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Attract and expand foreign direct investment in both regions, creating high-quality jobs for residents.
- Transport and Infrastructure
Enhance economic connectivity and common infrastructure development to support economic growth, our net zero ambitions, and enables the efficient movement of people and goods across the Midlands and beyond.
- Research and Intelligence
Enhance the research and intelligence capabilities of both regions.
- Wider Regional Leadership
Provide effective leadership and governance for the wider region, its residents and businesses.
As part of the Compact, there is an action plan on delivering these objectives. You can read the full Compact here.
The Midlands has a track record of collaboration and partnerships across business, academia, and the public sector – and this Compact takes into an exciting new era. Drawing upon the best of what’s worked – collaborations led by private and public partners – along with clear-eyed focus on delivering tangible benefit for our businesses and residents.
By forging this new partnership, both Mayors are committed to harnessing both the regions collective strengths, celebrate heritage and build for the future.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The Midlands was the home of the industrial revolution – an innovative spark that led to seismic change across the globe. The influence of this region is often overlooked but cannot be overstated – we are driving the national economy.
“For the first time, both East and West are represented by Mayors. It is a unique opportunity to work together to make a greater impact across the whole region.”
“Bringing the region together will help us fully realise our potential. We will create jobs, drive growth, improve transport links and help the whole region thrive.”
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said: “This Compact represents the desire that Mayor Richard Parker and I have to harness our regions’ shared strengths and to face our shared challenges. The Government is committed to its growth mission – and it is pan-regional partnerships like ours that will deliver it. We will coordinate to attract investment, strengthen supply chains, and to deliver the infrastructure that makes inclusive growth possible.”
“So, this is about strong Mayoral leadership at the regional level – but it is also about the innovation that is possible when we pool risk and opportunity. This is as true for economic productivity as it is for public service reform, and our regions are keen to use this partnership for those things which will most strongly benefit our people and places.”
“This sets the direction for pan-regional working in the Midlands: drawing on both our similarities and our unique strengths to build the future.”
The Midlands has a fundamental role to play in delivering growth across the region but also nationally and, as the region’s two current Metro Mayors, both are committed to working together to achieve it - driving the inclusive, long-term economic growth that will benefit local communities and strengthen the UK economy.
Image credit: West Midlands Combined Authority
