A strong economy, a skilled and creative workforce, excellent national and international transport links, a science-literate population and excellent quality of life are just some of the benefits of living and working in the Bristol city region. The area also covers some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK, as well as the major cities of Bristol and Bath.

In addition to 4 leading universities, Bristol city region is also home to many large corporations such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, HP Labs, Orange, as well as a thriving and dynamic SME sector including early stage companies and start-ups. Visit our case studies to see more about some of the technology commercialisation and real-life science happening here.

The universities offer a range of facilities from world-class research intensive universities to smaller specialist institutions. Between them they have 26 science departments rated at 5 or 5* in the last Higher Education Research Assessment Exercise and many offer specialist services to business. Collectively they are the third most powerful research cluster in the UK.

The advanced engineering, ICT, environmental technology and creative sectors are particularly strong across the Bristol city region, and knowledge-intensive businesses employ more than 80,000 people, around 1/3rd of the workforce. GVA per head in the region has improved substantially over the last 10 years and is significantly higher than the UK average. Bristol is also the UK’s “most productive large city” according to the Work Foundation Ideopolis II report: How can cities thrive in the changing economy? of July 2008.

The successful and vibrant region of today has its roots in a long-standing tradition of science and innovation. To understand more about how science is part of Bristol’s cultural heritage, take a tour through the site and discover 100 things you didn’t know about Bristol city region.

For those considering relocation to the Bristol, a new website, www.investinbristol.com , has recently been launched with comprehensive information about commercial property developments, Bristol’s diverse business sectors, public sector relocation, case studies, corporate views, key statistics, an interactive map and videos. The Invest in Bristol website also includes information about how to access a comprehensive range of support services via Bristol City Council’s Reception Service for Major Investors.