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Sectors in the West of England

The West of England economy has considerable industrial diversity. Sectors relatively concentrated in the West of England include aerospace, insurance, pension, other financial services, and post and telecommunications.

Aerospace, insurance and professional services together support some 80,000 jobs. The media and creative sectors comprise a diverse range of artistic, performance and communications related activity. The rising number of jobs in these activities and the presence of high profile industry leaders such as Aardman Animations and the BBC Natural History Unit draw much attention.

• The main office sectors - financial and business services, and public administration account for approximately 30 per cent of all employment (about 150,000 jobs).
• Education and health account for 20 percent of jobs, retailing and related services account for a similar proportion.
• Manufacturing jobs account for less that 10 per cent of West of England jobs (compared with 33 per cent in 1971).

In Bath & North East Somerset the highest level of employment comes from the public sector.

• 42 per cent of jobs are in public services. The NHS , MOD and the Council are amongst the largest employers.
• Tourism is the second largest employment sector accounting for 24 per cent of jobs.
• Business Services provides for 16 per cent of employment opportunities.

Bath & North East Somerset also has a strong industrial heritage. Whilst employment in manufacturing is lower than the national average, in the Midsomer Norton & Radstock it accounts for around 30 per cent of all jobs.

There are also strong signs of diversification. Small business start-up rates continue to grow, and creative and knowledge based industries are becoming integral to the local economy.

Bristol acts as a hub for the Environmental Technologies sector with national and international organisations such as the Soil Association, Sustrans and Garrad Hassan having their headquarters in the City.

Environmental industries account for an increasing proportion of Bristol's economy and add to the green image of the South West region.

More information on Key Sectors in Bristol can be found on Bristol City Council's Bristol Economy Key Sectors web page.