Aldershot and Farnborough is home to one of the UK’s most productive and strategically important economic clusters.
Combining defence leadership, aerospace innovation and advanced digital and technology capability, the area offers businesses a highly connected environment in which to invest and grow.
Located just 35 minutes from London with direct access to the M3 corridor and Heathrow Airport, Aldershot and Farnborough provide excellent national and international connectivity for businesses, investors and skilled workers.
Farnborough, the birthplace of aviation, internationally recognised for its aerospace, defence and advanced engineering strengths, and anchored by Farnborough Airport and the globally renowned Farnborough International Airshow. Together, they reinforce the area’s reputation as a centre for innovation, investment and technical excellence.
Aldershot is the recognised Home of the British Army, hosting Standing Joint Command alongside around 70 military units. This concentration of military leadership creates rare access to defence expertise, operational knowledge and partnership opportunities.
Aldershot and Farnborough's Economy AT A GLANCE
A World Class Economy
Aldershot and Farnborough offers businesses a proven, high‑performing economic environment in which to invest, relocate and grow.
The local economy is characterised by exceptional productivity, one of the highest in the UK, generating £8.62bn in GDP with an employment rate of 85.6%, significantly above regional and national benchmarks.
The area’s mature and organically developed economic cluster, brings together defence primes, global corporates, tier-one suppliers, innovative SMEs and educators, across aerospace engineering, advanced materials, secure digital technologies, systems integration and specialist manufacturing. The cluster has evolved through sustained private-sector investment, supported by its proximity to secure infrastructure, specialist facilities and a highly skilled workforce.
The cluster is further strengthened by Cody Technology Park, one of Europe’s largest secure defence and technology campuses, providing a unique environment for research, development, testing and collaboration between industry, government and the armed forces.
For companies considering relocation or expansion, this translates into higher output per worker, access to specialist skills, established supply‑chain depth and a business environment accustomed to complex, regulated and mission‑critical activity.
Connectivity
35 minutes to London by train and good links to the south coast and west.
Productivity
Rushmoor borough is the most productive borough in the UK based on GVA per hour worked.
Highly Skilled
Nearly half of Rushmoor residents are educated to degree level or higher.
