Key Sectors
Sunderland is home to a diverse range of industries and sectors and many major businesses have chosen our city as their base.
From Nissan, Berghaus and Tombola, to Ocado, Just Eat, EDF Energy and Hays Travel, some of the UK's biggest employers reside here in the North East.
Recognised for its ambition and innovation, Sunderland is a place where businesses can grow across a wide range of high-potential sectors.
The city combines a strong industrial heritage with a forward-looking economy. Once known for shipbuilding and coal mining, Sunderland is now helping lead the UK's transition to a low-carbon future, with strengths in clean energy, electric vehicle manufacturing and battery innovation, including the UK's only gigafactory.
Alongside this, city-wide regeneration is creating fresh opportunities in financial and professional services, while Crown Works Studios is set to position Sunderland as a major hub for film and television production.
Advanced Manufacturing
Sunderland is a world leader in advanced manufacturing, with strengths in automotive, precision engineering, aerospace and turbo technologies.
Home to Nissan's UK plant and the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP), the city is at the forefront of electric vehicle research, production and battery innovation, supported by a strong regional supply chain.
With almost a fifth of local employment in advanced manufacturing and a growing pipeline of STEM talent from the region's universities, Sunderland has the skills to support long-term growth. Strong partnerships between industry and academia, alongside support from the North East Automotive Alliance, help ensure the sector remains innovative, resilient and future-focused.
Financial, Professional and Business Services
Sunderland offers skills, space and specialist support for financial, professional and business services.
With modern developments such as Maker and Faber, and major employers including Just Eat, Ocado and Hays Travel already based here, the city provides a cost-effective, well-connected location for firms in finance, legal, HR, consultancy and customer service.
Backed by a skilled and loyal workforce, Sunderland gives businesses access to the talent they need to grow.
Major developments such as Riverside Sunderland, alongside established business locations including Doxford International Business Park and Rainton Bridge, offer high-quality space for both city centre and out-of-town investment.
Software, Digital and Creative
Sunderland is building a digital-first future, with a growing tech ecosystem supported by organisations such as Sunderland Software City and the British Esports Federation.
From software development and gaming to cyber security and data analytics, the city offers a collaborative environment for digital businesses to innovate and scale.
Smart technology sits at the heart of Sunderland's growth, with smart city projects, digital inclusion programmes and 5G infrastructure helping create a connected, resilient place for people and businesses.
With incubator space, a dedicated growth fund through Venture Sunderland, and a strong creative community spanning design, games, performance and production, Sunderland is a city where tech and creativity grow side by side.
Electrification
Sunderland is helping lead the UK's low-carbon transition, with more than £1 billion of electrification investment already underway.
The city is rapidly establishing itself as a centre for clean energy, electric vehicle manufacturing and battery innovation.
At the heart of this transformation is AESC's Gigafactory, a landmark development set to produce batteries for up to 100,000 electric vehicles a year and create more than 1,000 skilled jobs.
Backed by government and global investment, it is helping drive a new era of sustainable industry in Sunderland.
Film
Sunderland is ready for screen production, welcoming film and TV companies with the support, location and infrastructure to help projects succeed.
As home to the North East's screen agency, the city is well placed for productions looking for easy access to the region's talent, locations and wider assets.
Plans for the £450m Crown Works Studios will take that offer to the next level, creating one of Europe's largest film studio developments. With 19 sound stages, production and workshop space, support facilities and a technical academy, it will establish Sunderland as a major hub for film and television and could create up to 8,000 jobs.
Sunderland has also signed North East Screen's filming charter, reinforcing its commitment to being a film-friendly city.
Retail & Hospitality
Riverside Sunderland is reshaping the city centre, bringing new jobs, homes and energy into the heart of the city.
Alongside wider regeneration in areas such as Sunniside, these developments are increasing footfall, boosting spending power and creating fresh opportunities for retail, hospitality and leisure.
Major attractions are growing the city's appeal even further. Culture House and a new tourism strategy will help bring more visitors into Sunderland, while a strong mix of independent businesses, events and existing leisure venues adds life and character to the city centre.
Together, this is creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity for high-quality city centre investment.
