Ayrshire Growth Deal

What Ayrshire Growth Deal does

Ayrshire Growth Deal is a £251.5 million, 10-year regional economic development partnership formally signed on 19 November 2020 by the UK Government (£103m), Scottish Government (£103m), and East, North, and South Ayrshire Councils (£45.5m combined). The programme is governed through the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee and delivers infrastructure, skills, and investment projects across five thematic areas: Aerospace and Space, Economic Infrastructure, Energy/Circular Economy/Environment, Communities (Community Wealth Building), and Tourism. It targets 7,000 new jobs, £300m+ of leveraged private investment, and economic uplift across 370,000 Ayrshire residents. North and East Ayrshire Councils launched a new Shared Economic Development Service effective 1 June 2026 to consolidate delivery under a single Regional Economic Director.

The portfolio spans physical infrastructure and digital platforms. Flagship assets include the 32-acre Ayrshire Innovation Park at Moorfield/Kilmarnock (£48.8m, combining AMIC and AEP), the i3 Enterprise Area with the Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) operated with NMIS/University of Strathclyde and CPI, the 320-acre Hunterston PARC deep-water port with Peel Ports, CoRE (Community Renewable Energy Project) in Cumnock, the Prestwick Aerospace and Spaceport cluster, the Great Harbour tourism development at Irvine, and the HALO Kilmarnock regeneration project. Digital infrastructure comprises private 5G networks across DPMC, HALO, AIP and Prestwick, with the region designated one of ten UK 5G Innovation Regions (£4.4m from DSIT, 25 advanced wireless network solutions rolled out, 97+ Mbps throughput demonstrated).

The business model is a public-sector capital deployment programme, not a commercial enterprise. Funding flows as ring-fenced grants and capital investment through approved business cases. Skills delivery operates through grants and free training: the £3.5m Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF) provides employers up to £1,800 per employee for training in Engineering, Digital, Clean Growth and Visitor Economy sectors, with free courses for priority groups. Modern industrial units and flexible manufacturing space at i3 and AIP are made available to tenants under lease arrangements. Revenue is not the objective; economic and social outcomes (jobs, safeguarded employment, GVA, private investment leverage, community wealth) are the measurable deliverables tracked through annual performance reports and a published Benefits Realisation Plan.

Name

Ayrshire Growth Deal

Legal name

Ayrshire Growth Deal

Website

https://ayrshiregrowthdeal.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ayrshire Growth Deal is a £251.5 million, 10-year regional economic development partnership between the UK Government, Scottish Government, and East, North and South Ayrshire Councils, delivering infrastructure, skills, and investment projects across aerospace, energy, manufacturing, marine, and tourism to create 7,000 jobs in Ayrshire.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Economic Development

NAICS

Utility System Construction (2371), Geothermal Electric Power Generation (221116)

SIC

Operative Builders (1531), General Bldg Contractors - Nonresidential Bldgs (1540), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Growth, Livelihoods & Private Sector Development (BPADAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Incentives, Grants & Program Administration (Auctions, Tenders, IRA/ITC/PTC Advisory) (EUAMAAAJ), Infrastructure — Development (Greenfield) (FSAAAKAF), Project Finance & Capital Structuring (Debt/Tax Equity/Project Bonds) (EUAMAAAD), Governance, Public Financial Management & Service Delivery Reform (BPADAEAD)

Keywords

• Regional economic development
• Infrastructure investment programme
• Skills training funding
• Innovation park development
• Community wealth building

Headquarters

HQ city

Ayr

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Capital Investment: The Ayrshire Growth Deal is a £251.5 million investment programme jointly funded by UK Government (£103 million), Scottish Government (£103 million), and the three Ayrshire Councils (£45.5 million). This public funding is expected to unlock approximately £300 million in private sector investment.
2. Skills Investment Fund: The £3.5 million Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF) provides funding to employers (up to £1,800 per person) and training opportunities for priority groups including young people, females, people with long-term health conditions, and low-paid workers.
3. Programme Management and Governance: Delivered through the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee with regional governance structures. The North and East Ayrshire Councils launched a new Shared Economic Development Service effective 1 June 2026 to coordinate delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ayrshire Growth Deal is a £251.5 million, 10-year regional economic development partnership programme jointly funded by the UK Government (£103m), Scottish Government (£103m), and East, North and South Ayrshire Councils (£45.5m). It delivers strategic site development, advanced manufacturing facilities, renewable energy infrastructure, skills training, and tourism projects targeting aerospace, energy, marine, manufacturing, and tourism industries. The programme is expected to create 7,000 jobs and unlock £300 million in private investment across the Ayrshire region.

Product overview

Ayrshire Growth Deal is a regional economic development partnership (not a software product company) delivering a £251 million investment programme jointly funded by UK Government (£103m), Scottish Government (£103m), and three Ayrshire councils (£45.5m). The portfolio comprises multiple interconnected programmes and projects across five thematic areas: Aerospace and Space, Economic Infrastructure, Energy/Circular Economy/Environment, Communities (Community Wealth Building), and Tourism. Key product offerings include Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) providing Industry 4.0 technologies; Ayrshire Innovation Park combining manufacturing and engineering facilities; i3 Enterprise Area flexible manufacturing space; CoRE renewable energy project; skills training programmes (IGNITE Welding, ASIF); HALO Kilmarnock regeneration; Great Harbour tourism development; and Hunterston strategic port development. The portfolio also includes employment support (Working for a Healthy Economy), 5G innovation infrastructure, and community wealth building initiatives targeting 7,000 new jobs and £300 million private investment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ayrshire Innovation Park (AIP) A 32-acre business and innovation park in Kilmarnock combining AMIC and AEP. Provides 1,914 sqm of food-grade industrial space, a 1,200 sqm food and drink Centre of Excellence, 9,950 sqm of advanced manufacturing space, and 5 serviced plots for self-build. Features a private 5G network and upgraded electrical infrastructure with new SPEN substations.
• i3 Enterprise Area Flexible Business Space Approximately 8,830 sqm of flexible advanced manufacturing space at i3 Irvine Enterprise Area, targeting advanced manufacturing and life science businesses. First phase includes an 18,000 sq ft industrial unit with yard space developed by Muir Construction Ltd.
• Digital Process Manufacturing Centre (DPMC) Centre of Excellence for digital automation with approximately 8,830 sqm of flexible advanced manufacturing space at i3 Irvine Enterprise Area. Offers digital and data-driven manufacturing expertise, AI, robotics, digital data management, and virtual/augmented reality tools for trial. Part of the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland operated by the University of Strathclyde.
• Community Renewable Energy Project (CoRE) Scotland's first net zero carbon, energy self-sufficient community project in Cumnock. Harnesses wind, solar, geothermal, and hydro energy to create a self-sustaining low-cost energy network, flexible local grid, and green hydrogen production. Includes a Centre of Excellence for low-carbon skills.
• Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF) A £3.5 million fund providing employer grants of up to £1,800 per employee for training in Engineering, Digital, Clean Growth, and Visitor Economy sectors. Free training is available for priority groups including young people, females, people with long-term health conditions, and low-paid workers.
• Working for a Healthy Economy A £5 million pan-Ayrshire project helping residents back into employment through health support services in partnership with NHS Salus. Targets 7,500 residents over 5 years (514 supported in first year) with the aim of 25%+ securing sustainable employment and 85%+ retaining employment.
• IGNITE Welding Course A 15-week intensive welding training programme delivered at J&D Pierce (Contracts) Ltd's Glengarnock facility, training unemployed individuals to international welding standard BS EN 9606 (Coded Welder status). Six trainees per cohort.
• EV Mechanics Vocational Training Programme Vocational training programme delivering accredited EV qualifications to 30 local mechanics and pupils at Robert Burns Academy and Doon Academy, delivered at Emergency One in Cumnock as part of the CoRE project.
• Great Harbour Project A £14 million tourism investment at Irvine Harbourside and the Ardeer peninsula creating a Maritime Mile with three hubs (Coastal Hub, Marina/Arts/Events/Food Hub, and Maritime Hub).
• Hunterston Strategic Development Area Scotland's largest strategic deep-water port development (320-acre brownfield site) with £18 million UK Government funding over 10 years, targeting blue economy, circular economy, and offshore renewable energy sectors. Operated by Peel Ports.
• International Marine Science and Environmental Centre (IMSE) A £10.5 million Centre of Excellence for marine sciences, marine spatial planning, marine technology, and marine education and training based at Ardrossan. Provides start-up incubation for maritime sector companies.
• HALO Kilmarnock

Quantifiable outcome

• 7,000 new jobs expected to be created across Ayrshire
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) / University of StrathclydecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2022NMIS, operated by University of Strathclyde and part of High Value Manufacturing (HVM) Catapult, partnered with North Ayrshire Council and CPI to open Digital Process Manufacturing Centre at i3. NMIS provides digital and data-driven manufacturing expertise, AI, robotics, VR/AR tools. Innovation lead Paul Tuohy brings energy systems expertise.
• CPI (Centre for Process Innovation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2022CPI collaborates with industry, academia, government, and investment community to accelerate development and commercialisation of innovative products in healthcare and sustainability. First time HVM Catapult centres NMIS and CPI have joined forces to open a centre.
• East, North and South Ayrshire CouncilscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2020Three Ayrshire Councils contributed £45.5 million to the Deal and are jointly responsible for delivery through the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee. North and East Ayrshire Councils launched Shared Economic Development Service effective June 2026. East Ayrshire provides £7.5m for CoRE; North Ayrshire provides £5m for i3.
• Scottish EnterprisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScottish Enterprise is a key partner in Hunterston PARC development alongside North Ayrshire Council and Peel Ports. Managing Director Linda Hanna confirmed commitment to accelerate the project and attract further investment.
• Peel PortscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeel Ports is the operator of Hunterston PARC and key partner in the 320-acre deep-water port development. Produced development framework for blue and circular economy innovation. Port Director Jim McSporran leads port operations.
• Scotland 5G Centre (S5GC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScotland 5G Centre opened S5GConnect Hub at HALO Kilmarnock in March 2022 and is key partner in 5G Innovation Region delivery. Supports businesses to develop, prototype, and test 5G applications. CEO Paul Coffey leads the initiative.
• NHS SalusminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNHS Salus delivers Working for a Healthy Economy project providing health professional assessment and support for residents with health barriers to employment. Has delivered health support to unemployed North Ayrshire residents since 2016.
• GTG Training LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGTG Training Ltd delivered EV mechanic vocational training programme at Emergency One in Cumnock. Programme funded by Growth Deal CoRE project plus £61,000 from Transport Scotland HGV Challenge Fund.
• Ayrshire CollegecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAyrshire College is the first official training partner of the £3.5m Ayrshire Skills Investment Fund (ASIF). Delivers courses in Engineering, Digital, Clean Growth, and Visitor Economy sectors at Ayr, Kilwinning, and Kilmarnock campuses. Also delivers vocational schools component for EV/hydrogen training.
• University of StrathclydecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Strathclyde plays major role in CoRE project innovation programme and DPMC partnership. Host to successful energy research hub including PNDC and NMIS. Principal Sir Jim McDonald leads. Professor Paul Tuohy is innovation lead on CoRE.
• Crown EstatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCrown Estates is part of wider strategic stakeholder working group for Hunterston development alongside Peel Ports, Scottish Enterprise, and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
• Nuclear Decommissioning AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNuclear Decommissioning Authority is part of wider strategic stakeholder working group for Hunterston development aligned with nuclear decommissioning at Hunterston.
• Field Studies CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerField Studies Council is partner in International Marine Science and Environmental Centre (IMSE) project for marine sciences education and training.
• University of West of ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of West of Scotland is consortium partner for 5G Innovation Region bid alongside three Ayrshire Councils, Ayrshire College, Scotland 5G Centre, and NMIS. Principal James Miller leads participation.
• MerckminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerck supported development of industrial use case for 5G trial at DPMC, drawing on experience operating complex manufacturing facilities globally. Already an active user of advanced wireless connectivity.
• Folk ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFolk Consulting designed data generation approach and validated information flow through 5G network during DPMC trial. 5G Specialist Jack Waland contributed to project design and validation.
• Wallace Stone ConsultingminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWallace Stone Consulting appointed as marina project Principal and Integrated Design Team for Cumbrae marina development. Responsible for marina design, permissions, consents, and environmental impact assessment.
• Muir Construction LtdminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMuir Construction Ltd carrying out initial £4m development at i3 site - 18,000 sqft industrial unit and yard space. Business Development Director David Fairweather leading. Plans careers advice for schools and charity support.
• Heron BrosminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHeron Bros appointed as contractors for Ayrshire Innovation Park infrastructure phase including spine road and two new junctions at Moorfield site. Works scheduled until 2026.

Scale indicators34 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Scottish Enterprise: Scotland's national economic development agency accountable to Scottish Government. Broad incumbent — operates across Scotland on business support, inward investment, and innovation policy rather than Ayrshire-specific, but is a key delivery partner in projects like Hunterston PARC.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise: Scottish Government economic and community development agency for the Highlands and Islands. Broad incumbent — covers a different region but offers comparable rural economic development, skills investment, and community wealth building services under the same Scottish Government umbrella.

Direct peers

• Tees Valley Combined Authority: Mayoral combined authority in North East England with £1bn+ devolved economic development funding. Direct peer — operates as a regional development body with similar portfolio of capital projects, skills programmes, and innovation infrastructure investments.
• Glasgow City Region Deal: UK Government and Scottish Government joint £1bn+ regional economic development deal for Glasgow and Clyde Valley. Direct structural peer — same funding model (UK/Scottish Government matched with local authorities), same programme duration, similar sector focus on advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and infrastructure.
• Moray Growth Deal: £100m regional growth deal for Moray region covering aerospace, energy, and tourism. Direct peer — same funding structure, smaller capital scale, but overlapping sector priorities in aerospace and renewable energy.
• South Wales City Deal: £1.3bn UK Government city deal covering Cardiff, Swansea, and South Wales valleys. Direct peer — same UK Government funding stream, comparable sector focus on advanced manufacturing, energy, and skills, with similar multi-local-authority governance complexity.
• Tay Cities Deal: £700m regional growth deal covering Dundee, Perth, Angus, and Fife. Direct peer — same UK/Scottish Government matched funding model, similar 10-year horizon, with comparable focus on infrastructure, innovation, and skills investment.
• Inverness and Highlands City Region Deal: £315m UK Growth Deal for the Highlands region covering digital connectivity, skills, tourism, and renewable energy. Direct peer — same funding model, comparable capital scale, and overlapping focus on renewable energy and digital infrastructure.
• Borderlands Growth Deal: £452m UK Government growth deal spanning the Scottish-English border region. Direct peer — same UK Government funding source, similar regional economic development scope, and comparable rural regeneration mandate.
• Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal: £1.4bn UK Growth Deal for Edinburgh and South East Scotland covering data-driven innovation, housing, and skills. Direct peer — identical tripartite government funding structure, similar regional economic development mandate, and shared Scottish Government funding source.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ayrshiredeal

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ayrshire Growth Deal