Enterprise Ireland trade mission activity in Manchester is underlining just how important the UK remains for Irish business growth. Led by Minister Niamh Smyth, the latest visit comes as Enterprise Ireland confirmed client exports to the UK climbed to a record €11.1 billion in 2025, a 10% year-on-year increase that reflects deepening commercial links between Ireland and the North of England.
The announcement is significant for businesses tracking developments across gov.ie, Enterprise Ireland and wider Irish trade policy, especially as export growth, regional investment and job creation continue to shape cross-border business strategy.
Enterprise Ireland trade mission puts Manchester in focus
The Manchester mission brings together 40 high-growth Irish companies from construction, engineering, manufacturing, technology and creative sectors. The visit signals that the North of England has become a major destination for Irish expansion, now representing 20% of Irish companies’ UK footprint, second only to London.
That momentum aligns with Ireland’s broader trade and enterprise agenda involving Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and the Department of the Taoiseach, with policy support often tracked through gov.ie and agencies tied to Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Public Expenditure.
- UK exports by Enterprise Ireland clients reached €11.1 billion in 2025
- The UK now accounts for 29% of total client exports
- 38% of surveyed Irish firms plan higher investment in the North of England
- One in five companies plans to hire in the region during 2026
Why the North of England matters
Enterprise Ireland’s latest market survey shows the North and Midlands corridor has become a core industrial zone for Irish firms working in infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, energy and sustainable development. Major opportunities are emerging in data centres, electricity grid upgrades, water infrastructure and supply chains linked to industrial expansion.
This matters not only to exporters but also to stakeholders following trends across Revenue Commissioners, the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), CSO and the Central Bank, where international trade performance is closely watched as a marker of economic resilience.
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New office openings and landmark contracts
A major part of the Enterprise Ireland trade mission is the announcement of fresh Irish investment in the Manchester area. Animation studio Kavaleer is opening its first overseas office in the city, creating 20 jobs and launching a new international co-production. Recruitment specialist Osborne has also opened its first UK office in Manchester and expects to create 10 jobs in 2026, with more growth planned.
Construction consultancy KSNPM is establishing a Manchester base to support a growing pipeline, while Glanua has opened a new Northwest office in Newton-le-Willows, with further recruitment underway.
Alongside these openings, established Irish firms are delivering some of the region’s most visible projects:
- Sisk is involved in Manchester City’s £300 million Etihad Stadium expansion
- Techrete is supplying façade systems for the University of Manchester’s Fallowfield scheme, expected to become Europe’s largest Passivhaus development
- xWave is expanding digital health deployments across the UK, including work supporting 24 hospitals through the Yorkshire Imaging Collaborative
What this means for Irish industry
The Enterprise Ireland trade mission shows Irish companies are not just exporting products into Britain; they are increasingly embedded in regional delivery across energy, health technology, housing-related construction and modern manufacturing. That has implications across sectors linked to Health, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Transport, Climate Action and even procurement ecosystems supported by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP).
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Strong outlook for Irish-UK trade ties
Business sentiment remains upbeat, with 95% of surveyed Irish firms describing the UK as a critical or very important market. Enterprise Ireland says its teams in Manchester, London and Scotland are helping companies move from initial market entry to long-term operational growth, supported by contract wins, partnerships and local hiring.
The Enterprise Ireland trade mission also includes site visits, conference participation and meetings with Manchester civic leaders, reinforcing the strategic value of the relationship. For readers following gov.ie policy, export performance and agency-backed growth, this mission offers a clear takeaway: Irish companies are scaling internationally by combining sector expertise with regional presence, and Manchester is now one of the most important hubs in that story.
Article/Image Courtesy: Enterprise Ireland
