Liverpool City Region Innovation Zone has won two international awards after securing £510m in committed investment, with the programme forecast to create more than 16,000 jobs.
The programme received both the Global and European Rising Stars awards at the Global Free Zones of the Year Awards 2026.
It brings together the city region’s Freeport and Life Sciences Investment Zone, combining support for innovation and strategic development sites with tax and customs incentives for investors and occupiers.
Backed by £185m of government funding over 10 years, the programme is expected to generate more than £1.6bn in investment. Goods worth £257m have been handled across its Freeport customs sites.
Projects highlighted by the combined authority include the Infection Innovation Consortium’s £20m robotic, AI-enabled Liverpool Accelerate Laboratory, alongside Finsa’s £20m logistics headquarters in Birkenhead.
The laboratory, previously covered by Prolific North, combines robotics and AI to support research into infectious diseases and the development of drugs and vaccines.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Back when we first launched our Innovation Zone, I made it clear that the benefits had to go beyond purely financial incentives. I wanted it to be a force for good – creating secure, well-paid jobs and training opportunities for local people, while attracting new investment and new opportunities to our area. We’re already seeing that ambition become a reality.
“Driving innovation is central to the economy I want to build here in the Liverpool City Region – one that builds on our existing strengths in health and life sciences and advanced manufacturing, backs the talent of our local workforce and attracts investment from around the world.
“With major investment already secured and more projects in the pipeline, our Innovation Zone is helping us create high-value jobs, unlock new opportunities and build a stronger, more productive economy for the future.”
The combined authority said the city region’s economy had grown by 11.8% since 2017, compared with 8.4% across England.
The awards recognise the programme’s progress in attracting investment across life sciences, advanced manufacturing and global trade.
