We have some exciting news for Northern Ireland! Antrim and Newtownabbey has been officially recognised as one of the UK’s top 10 locations for high-growth business potential in 2026. This fantastic achievement also sees it leading the way in Northern Ireland, showcasing a remarkable 12% high growth potential.
This positive announcement follows a recent investment showcase event held in Westminster, where Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council proudly launched its new investment strategy: ‘Antrim Newtownabbey: AN Investment that delivers.’ The region is clearly setting its sights high, focusing on key growth areas such as advanced manufacturing, logistics, supply chain management, aerospace, and health and life sciences.
The analysis, carried out by Growth Flag, a UK data intelligence platform, highlights that businesses in Antrim and Newtownabbey already enjoy a robust economic foundation. They benefit from excellent connections to logistics and advanced manufacturing, superb connectivity, and a growing number of companies investing in innovation and technology. All these factors combine to position the area perfectly to attract even more private investment and create high-value job opportunities in 2026 and beyond.
Richard Jeffery, co-founder of Growth Flag, praised the results, stating, “Antrim and Newtownabbey’s performance truly shows the strength of Northern Ireland’s business community and its ability to compete for investment, innovation, and talent. Its emergence in the UK’s top 10 proves what can be achieved when businesses, partners, and local leaders work together with a shared vision for growth.”
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, warmly welcomed the report’s findings. She shared, “This news is incredibly welcome and confirms what we’ve known for some time – that Antrim Newtownabbey offers an exceptionally compelling investment proposition. To receive this recognition so soon after launching our new investment plan in Westminster is perfectly timed, and we’re very excited about the future investment prospects.” She added, “A new and thrilling economic success story is unfolding in our region, and being in the UK’s top 10 for high-growth business potential is hugely encouraging. Our message to potential investors is clear: we’re not stopping here, and the Council is ready to partner with you to seize opportunities and deliver even better results in the coming years.”
The "Growth Outlook 26" report, which looked at over 4.3 million businesses across the UK, noted a challenging national picture. Only nine per cent of UK firms are expected to grow by 20 per cent or more next year, a decrease from 16 per cent last year, with a sharp rise in businesses showing early signs of difficulty. However, the report also found that growth is now concentrated in a few local economies that boast favourable combinations of skilled workforces, investment, infrastructure, and business support – and Antrim and Newtownabbey is proudly among them. This makes the achievement even more significant and promising for our wider region.