By Councillor Anne Handley, Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Portfolio Holder for Investment at Hull and East Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.

For the UK to be serious about unlocking its next phase of economic growth, it needs to look beyond traditional urban centres.

The East Riding of Yorkshire contains enormous potential with the scale, connectivity, and the ability to deliver at pace, that are vital for delivering growth and prosperity.

Set between major national corridors and anchored by the Humber Freeport, we are one of the largest and most diverse local authority areas in the country. But more importantly, we are one of the most investable.

We have the fundamentals necessary for investors. This includes 500 hectares of employment land ready for development and direct access to the M62 and national logistics networks

We also have Goole, the UK’s furthest inland port, emerging as a major logistics and manufacturing hub, and a central role within the Humber Freeport, driving trade and green investment.

This is both about long-term aspiration but crucially also about sites, infrastructure and opportunities that are ready for investment today.

We are leading the transition to a green and digital economy, with significant renewable energy infrastructure. This supports hydrogen and low-carbon energy development, enables green powered data infrastructure and creates an ecosystem where clean energy meets digital growth.

The East Riding’s key strength is the breadth of opportunity within a single place.

This includes logistics and manufacturing around Goole, coastal regeneration and visitor economy opportunities around Bridlington. There is also Market town investment supporting high quality housing and digital life, and rural innovation including agri-tech and sustainable food production.

Underpinning this is a clear strategy to bring forward development, including the activation of employment land and new local plans to provide certainty for investors.

We recognise that successful places require active engagement from East Riding of Yorkshire Council to enable and accelerate growth.

Through a major transformation programme, we are becoming leaner and more commercially focused, using data and AI to improve decision-making, and building a council that matches the expectations for modern investors. This includes creating new partnership models, including joint ventures and delivery vehicles.

In summary, the East Riding is the ideal location for investment, as we have a competitive cost base with land availability at scale

We are a council committed to delivery and partnership and have policy alignment with national priorities. The East Riding is a place that can move quickly and grow sustainably and the time to invest is now.

Join Us at UKREiiF 2026

We are actively seeking partners who want to be part of shaping a region with national significance.

Whether your focus is energy, logistics, housing, digital infrastructure or regeneration, the East Riding offers real opportunities, backed by a clear plan.

Now is the time to look differently at where growth happens.

Now is the time to look to the East Riding.

https://investeastyorkshire.co.uk/insights-east-riding-investment-opportunity/