Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone has been recognised as one of the world’s leading destinations for innovation-led investment after winning both the Global Rising Star and European Rising Star awards at the Global Free Zones of the Year Awards 2026.
The prestigious double accolade highlights the rapid growth of Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone, which combines the region’s Freeport and Life Sciences Investment Zone to create a nationally significant location for advanced manufacturing, innovation, life sciences and international trade.
The award recognises Liverpool City Region’s success in building an ecosystem that supports business growth, accelerates innovation and attracts investment from around the world. Backed by £185 million of government funding over ten years, the Innovation Zone is helping to unlock strategic development sites, drive research and commercialisation, and provide a competitive package of tax and customs incentives for investors and occupiers.
The recognition comes as Liverpool City Region continues to outperform national growth trends, with a growing reputation for innovation, investment and business expansion across key sectors including life sciences, advanced manufacturing and low-carbon technologies.
The Innovation Zone is already delivering significant economic impact across the city region, including:
- More than £1.6 billion in expected investment
- £510 million of committed investment secured to date
- £257 million of goods handled through Freeport customs sites
- More than 16,000 jobs forecast to be created
Major investment projects are already being realised through the programme. Recent successes include Finsa’s £20 million logistics headquarters in Birkenhead and iiCON’s £20 million AI-enabled Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory, reinforcing Liverpool City Region’s position as a global hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing and life sciences.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“Back when we first launched our Innovation Zone, I made it clear that the benefits had to go beyond purely financial incentives. I wanted it to be a force for good – creating secure, well-paid jobs and training opportunities for local people, while attracting new investment and new opportunities to our area. We’re already seeing that ambition become a reality.
“Driving innovation is central to the economy I want to build here in the Liverpool City Region – one that builds on our existing strengths in health and life sciences and advanced manufacturing, backs the talent of our local workforce and attracts investment from around the world.
“With major investment already secured and more projects in the pipeline, our Innovation Zone is helping us create high-value jobs, unlock new opportunities and build a stronger, more productive economy for the future.”
The Global Free Zones of the Year Awards recognition further strengthens Liverpool City Region’s international reputation as a destination where innovation, talent, research excellence and strategic investment opportunities come together to support long-term business growth.
Link to the full press release can be found on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority website.
Liverpool City Region recognised as a global ‘City of Innovation, strengthening its investment credentials