Enterprise Ireland trade mission activity in Manchester is underlining just how important the UK remains for Irish business growth. With Enterprise Ireland client exports to the UK hitting a record €11.1 billion in 2025, up 10% year on year, the latest visit led by Minister Niamh Smyth highlights expanding Irish influence across construction, clean energy, digital health, manufacturing and creative industries in the North of England.
The mission brings 40 Irish companies to Manchester and comes at a time when the UK accounts for 29% of Enterprise Ireland client exports. For readers tracking gov.ie policy, Enterprise Ireland strategy and wider Irish trade development, the numbers point to a deepening economic relationship backed by the Department of the Taoiseach, Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and Foreign Affairs priorities around competitiveness and market diversification.
Enterprise Ireland trade mission strengthens Ireland-UK business ties
The Manchester visit is more than a ceremonial trade stop. It reflects a deliberate push to grow Irish commercial presence in a region that now represents 20% of Irish companies’ UK footprint, according to Enterprise Ireland’s 2026 UK Market Sentiment Survey. Only London ranks higher.
That makes the North of England a major growth corridor for Irish firms involved in:
- Construction and engineering
- Energy and grid infrastructure
- Water and sustainable development
- Digital health and AI solutions
- Manufacturing supply chains
- Creative industries
Business sentiment remains robust, with 95% of surveyed companies describing the UK as a critical or very important market. This is the kind of export-led momentum often watched closely by Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the CSO and policymakers across gov.ie.
New Manchester openings announced
Several Irish companies used the trade mission to confirm new regional expansion:
- Kavaleer is opening its first overseas office in Manchester and plans to create 20 jobs.
- Osborne has opened its first UK office in the city, with 10 new jobs planned in 2026.
- KSNPM is establishing a Manchester base to support a growing project pipeline.
- Glanua has expanded in the Northwest through a new office in Newton-le-Willows, with further recruitment under way.
These announcements reinforce Manchester’s importance as a base for Irish firms scaling across northern England.
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Major projects show Enterprise Ireland companies delivering at scale
The Enterprise Ireland trade mission also spotlights projects already being delivered by Irish companies in the region. Sisk is working on the £300 million expansion of Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium while also contributing to wider regeneration and healthcare developments in the UK.
Techrete is supplying façade systems for the University of Manchester’s Fallowfield student accommodation project, set to become Europe’s largest Passivhaus scheme. Its low-carbon precast systems are central to the project’s sustainability credentials, showing how Irish companies are contributing to climate-focused construction and modern methods of building.
In health technology, xWave is growing rapidly across the NHS, including a rollout through the Yorkshire Imaging Collaborative covering 24 hospitals and 2.7 million people. Since entering the UK market in 2023, the company has secured contracts with 22 NHS Trusts and plans to create 30 jobs over the next three years.
Why the North of England matters
Enterprise Ireland survey data suggests the region is set for further growth. Around 38% of Irish companies surveyed plan significant investment increases there, well above the UK average of 22%. Expansion is being driven by opportunities in data centres, electricity grid upgrades, water infrastructure and advanced manufacturing.
This aligns with wider areas of interest for departments and agencies linked to gov.ie, including Climate Action, Transport, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Public Expenditure, and enterprise competitiveness. It also reflects the broader ecosystem in which bodies such as the Revenue Commissioners, Health Service Executive (HSE), National Transport Authority (NTA), Central Bank and Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) sit as part of Ireland’s public and economic framework.
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What the Manchester mission means for Ireland
The Enterprise Ireland trade mission demonstrates that Irish exporters are not just selling into Britain; they are embedding themselves in local economies, opening offices, hiring staff and winning complex contracts. That matters for Ireland’s long-term trade resilience, especially as policymakers on gov.ie continue to promote diversification, innovation and sustainable job creation.
The key takeaway is clear: the Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Manchester reflects a record-breaking UK export performance and a confident next phase for Irish companies in one of their most important international markets.
Article/Image Courtesy: Enterprise Ireland
