Irish exporters are deepening their footprint in northern England, and the latest move into Manchester shows how quickly that shift is accelerating. In a notable development for business news Ireland, Enterprise Ireland has brought 40 high-growth companies to the city as client exports to the UK hit a record €11.1 billion in 2025, up 10% year on year.
The trade mission, led by Minister Niamh Smyth, underlines how important the UK remains for Irish firms looking for scale, contracts and long-term expansion. The UK now accounts for 29% of Enterprise Ireland client exports, while the North of England has become the second-largest regional base for Irish business activity after London.
Manchester trade mission highlights growing UK demand
The latest Enterprise Ireland visit is more than a diplomatic stop. It reflects a broader commercial trend in which Irish companies are becoming embedded in major UK projects across construction, energy, digital health and manufacturing.
Several companies used the mission to announce new office openings and expansion plans in the region:
- Kavaleer is opening its first overseas office in Manchester and plans to create 20 jobs.
- Osborne has launched its first UK office in the city, with 10 new roles planned in 2026.
- KSNPM is establishing a Manchester base to support a growing project pipeline.
- Glanua has opened a new Northwest-focused office in Newton-le-Willows, with further recruitment under way.
For readers tracking irish business news, the move signals a clear pattern: Irish firms are not just exporting into the UK, they are investing locally to win larger and more complex contracts.
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Big infrastructure projects are driving expansion
One reason Manchester and the wider North of England are attracting more Irish companies is the scale of infrastructure spending in the region. Enterprise Ireland’s 2026 UK Market Sentiment Survey found that 38% of Irish companies plan significant investment increases there, well above the UK average of 22%.
That investment is linked to strong demand in areas such as:
- Data centre development
- High-voltage grid upgrades
- AMP8 water infrastructure
- Advanced manufacturing supply chains
Irish firms are already involved in some of the region’s most visible schemes. Sisk is working on the £300 million expansion of Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, while Techrete is supplying façade systems for the University of Manchester’s Fallowfield development, which is expected to become Europe’s largest Passivhaus scheme.
These projects show how business news Ireland increasingly overlaps with UK infrastructure, sustainability and regional development. They also strengthen the case that cross-border growth remains a key theme in the ireland economy.
Digital health and clean energy also stand out
The expansion is not limited to construction. xWave, an Irish digital health company, has secured contracts with 22 NHS Trusts since entering the UK in 2023 and is planning 30 new jobs over the next three years. In energy, Activ8 Energies is advancing its UK growth strategy following the rebrand of Low Carbon Energy, with a focus on commercial solar and regional investment.
This mix of sectors matters for anyone following dublin business news and wider ireland tech business news, because it highlights how Irish innovation is gaining traction in practical, high-value areas rather than speculative expansion alone.
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What this means for Irish exporters
The survey data behind the trade mission points to a durable growth story. The North of England now accounts for 20% of Irish companies’ UK footprint, while the wider North-Midlands corridor represents 36%. One in five Irish businesses surveyed also plans to hire in the region during 2026.
That suggests a few important takeaways for companies considering UK expansion:
- Regional UK markets matter more than ever — growth is not confined to London.
- On-the-ground presence helps win contracts — office openings are becoming a strategic necessity.
- Sector expertise is a differentiator — especially in energy, health tech, engineering and low-carbon construction.
FAQ
Why is Manchester important for Irish companies?
Manchester offers access to major infrastructure, technology and public-sector projects, making it a strong base for Irish exporters expanding in the UK.
How much did Enterprise Ireland client exports to the UK reach?
Enterprise Ireland said client exports to the UK reached a record €11.1 billion in 2025, an increase of 10% from the previous year.
Which sectors are driving growth?
Construction, engineering, digital health, renewable energy, manufacturing and creative industries are among the strongest sectors in this latest expansion wave.
Looking ahead
The Manchester mission shows that Irish companies are entering a new phase of UK growth, built on permanent local presence, larger contract wins and deeper sector partnerships. For anyone watching business news Ireland, the message is clear: the UK remains a core market, and northern England is becoming one of the most important launchpads for the next chapter of Irish business expansion.
