The West Midlands has secured almost £800 million in new investment, unlocking thousands of job opportunities and major infrastructure developments in areas with significant South Asian populations.

The announcement follows the Regional Investment Summit held in Birmingham, which delivered £635 million in private sector commitments spanning artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, dairy, and property development, marking one of the largest investment rounds for the region in recent years.

With ethnic minorities now representing more than 50% of Birmingham’s population and 35.5% of West Bromwich residents, the new funding is set to play a crucial role in driving inclusive economic growth.

Among the key announcements, the Indian parent company of Freshways confirmed a £25 million investment to establish a state-of-the-art dairy processing facility in West Bromwich. 

The site, due to open by the end of the year, will create at least 200 skilled jobs ranging from engineering to food safety roles, while processing an estimated 500 million litres of milk annually. Once operational, the facility will boost Freshways’ processing capacity by 25%.

Birmingham’s growing pharmaceutical cluster also received a significant boost, securing a share of £30 million in Life Sciences funding. The investment will enable Sterling Pharmaceuticals to build a 60,000-square-foot research and development centre, creating 48 new jobs.

In technology, Atos announced a £10 million commitment to launch a network of AI innovation hubs, which will generate 50 new positions across the Midlands.

Global property developer Hines, in partnership with Woodbourne Group, pledged £400 million to develop the Birmingham Knowledge Quarter — a landmark project that will position the city as a hub for education, research, and enterprise.
Meanwhile, Blackstone confirmed a £200 million investment to modernise the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) over the next decade.

Complementing these private investments, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) unveiled a £75 million skills initiative aimed at training 12,000 people in key construction trades over three years, alongside a £40 million social housing plan to deliver 1,000 affordable homes for local families.

The recent summit builds on a series of major investment announcements already reshaping the regional economy. Knighthead Capital’s £3 billion Sports Quarter project — featuring a 62,000-capacity stadium — is expected to create 14,000 jobs and inject an estimated £700 million into the local economy.
Separately, Birmingham Airport has confirmed £300 million in infrastructure upgrades over the next four years to accommodate rising passenger demand.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker described the summit as “a huge success”, praising the region’s ability to attract global investors through its “innovation, diversity, and talent”.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle added: “The investments demonstrate how the government’s Industrial Strategy secures growth and creates opportunities for local communities.”

Taken together, the projects represent one of the most ambitious regional investment packages in recent years,strengthening key industries while ensuring that Asian communities across Birmingham and the Black Country remain central to the region’s economic future.