Delivering an Independent Review of the Enterprise Zone Programme in Wales

Steer Economic Development undertook an independent review of the Enterprise Zone Programme in Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government.

Launched in 2012, the Welsh Enterprise Zone Programme cover eight strategic development areas in diverse locations across Wales. It aims to create jobs and drive growth across a range of priority sectors including advanced manufacturing, energy and financial services. The Programme provides a package of place-based incentives including business rate support, simplified and more efficient planning processes; super-fast broadband connectivity, business support and wider infrastructure support. 

Working in partnership with the Welsh Government our role was to:

• assess performance to date at individual case study zones and at the aggregate programme level;
• identify good practice from Enterprise Zones across the UK and internationally;
• develop a package of recommendations and forward programme to shape the evolving Programme.

The final report was presented to the Welsh Government in April 2019.