Solihull has been recognised as one of the UK’s top ten locations for high‑growth business potential, according to new data released today by Growth Flag.
The findings highlight the borough’s continued emergence as a leading centre for innovation, investment and commercial success.
The Growth Outlook 26 report assessed more than 4.3 million UK businesses revealing a challenging national landscape, with only nine per cent of firms across the country expected to grow by 20 per cent or more in 2026 – a year‑on‑year decline of 16 per cent. Against this backdrop, Solihull stands out, with 10 per cent of local firms demonstrating high‑growth potential.
Solihull’s business ecosystem is anchored by globally recognised employers including Jaguar Land Rover and Gymshark, supported by a dynamic pipeline of emerging and scaling companies across clean tech, digital services, professional services and automotive innovation. This blend of established industry leaders and fast growing new entrants continues to strengthen the borough’s competitiveness and resilience.
Growth Flag’s analysis also highlights the pressures facing firms nationwide, with 47,600 high‑potential businesses showing early signs of financial distress and more than 726,000 companies exhibiting indicators of strain. Despite this, Solihull’s sector strengths and concentration of internationally competitive firms position the borough to navigate volatility and sustain growth.
Growth Outlook 26 is the UK’s most comprehensive data-led analysis of business growth potential at local authority level. It uses Growth Flag’s predictive Growth Score, which assesses hundreds of financial metrics to determine the likelihood of a business growing by 20 per cent.
Solihull has been ranked 7th nationally and, alongside Telford & Wrekin, is one of only two areas in the West Midlands to make the top ten.
Cllr Heather Delaney, Cabinet Member for Economy, Business & Skills at Solihull Council, welcomed the findings:
“Solihull’s recognition as one of the UK’s top ten areas for business growth potential reflects the strength of our business community, the ambition of our people, and the strategic investments we’re making to unlock opportunity. Our position is a testament to the confidence investors and entrepreneurs place in Solihull as a place to innovate, grow and succeed.”
Richard Jeffery, co‑founder of Growth Flag, added:
“The West Midlands is home to some of the most exciting commercial stories in the UK and this year’s data reinforces the region’s potential to lead the next phase of business growth. Places like Telford and Solihull show what happens when the right support and regional sector ecosystems come together to help ambitious firms realise their potential.
“There is clearly significant opportunity across the region. With continued focus and targeted investment, the West Midlands can grow the number of scaling businesses, drive innovation and create prosperity in every community.”