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Supplementary report – Company Movements

The Cambridge Economic Overview (CamEO) report 2026 is a new annual report bringing together economic data, industry insight, and expert opinion to frame policy recommendations on the long-term future of the Cambridge city region and its role in the UK economy.

The report unpacks how and why Cambridge is one of the world’s leading innovation clusters, how Cambridge’s exceptional fundamentals and policy interventions are combining to buck national trends, and clear evidence that Cambridge continues to support growth well beyond its own boundaries.

At the same time, the findings reinforce that future success cannot be taken for granted and the next few months are pivotal for Cambridge, and therefore the national innovation economy.

Alongside renewed market confidence and activity, the report highlights the importance of continued progress locally on delivery of enabling infrastructure, strategic growth sites, and quality of life, particularly for younger people. Nationally the report highlights a growing need for policy that strengthens UK competitiveness and global positioning.

Key findings from this year’s report include:

• Cambridge continues to attract major global investment and remains a focal point for the UK’s growth mission
• Cambridge helps drive innovation and economic growth in other place – from the Fens to Manchester
• Recent data suggests green shoots of higher growth are emerging following a more challenging period for the innovation economy
• Employers remain optimistic about R&D investment and workforce growth, with Government commitments on Cambridge and Ox-Cam helping boost confidence
• Transport, housing and infrastructure delivery remain the most significant barriers to sustainable growth
• Quality of life, especially housing affordability and mental health challenges affecting young people, must remain central to the next chapter of Cambridge’s growth story

The report brings together insight from Cambridge Ahead members, the Centre for Business Research at the University of Cambridge, the Cambridge Ahead Pulse Survey, the Cambridgeshire Quality of Life Survey, JLL, and a range of research partners.

Cambridge has an opportunity to help drive national growth, strengthen UK competitiveness and support innovation led prosperity across the country, but delivering this will require coordinated action, infrastructure investment and a continued focus on good growth that improves quality of life.