Cumbria is set to take centre stage at the Houses of Parliament next month as political leaders, investors and industry representatives gather together for an economic showcase designed to unlock the county’s next chapter of growth.
Cumbria’s Going for Growth Showcase, taking place on Wednesday 4 March 2026, will bring together MPs, national policymakers, senior civil servants, investors and business leaders to champion Cumbria as a nationally significant destination for investment.
The event is being hosted by Josh MacAlister MP for Workington and Whitehaven and delivered by Enterprising Cumbria in partnership with Cumbria Combined Authority, Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council.
Supported by public and private sector partners, the showcase will promote the ambitious Cumbria Going for Growth Strategy - a long-term plan positioning the county as open for investment, partnership and sustainable prosperity.
Cumbria’s message to Westminster is clear; the county offers world-class sector strengths, exceptional natural capital and a coordinated, delivery-focused strategy to drive inclusive growth.
The event will highlight six priority sectors central to Cumbria’s economic future:
- Defence and Advanced Manufacturing - building on Cumbria’s critical role in national defence, robotics and AI innovation.
- Thriving Places - creating inclusive, vibrant towns and communities with the infrastructure to support expansion.
- Transport and Infrastructure - improving connectivity and digital networks to unlock productivity.
- Clean, Green Innovation - leading the transition in clean energy, decarbonisation and sustainability.
- Skills and Employability - aligning workforce development with industry demand and future opportunities.
- Visitor Economy, Natural Assets and Food & Drink - maximising natural capital and strengthening Cumbria’s regional brand.
Representatives from key Cumbrian businesses and organisations will join partners and stakeholders to demonstrate the scale of opportunity across the county.
David Beeby, Chair of Enterprising Cumbria, said:
“Cumbria Day in Westminster gives us a powerful platform to share the ambition set out in our Going for Growth strategy - a clear, long-term vision for sustainable, inclusive prosperity that harnesses the county’s world-leading strengths, outstanding natural assets and enterprise potential.
This strategy is more than a plan - it’s a call to action. By showcasing what Cumbria has to offer - from innovation in advanced manufacturing and clean energy to thriving towns, skills and infrastructure - we are inviting investors, business leaders and policymakers to be part of the next chapter in our growth story.”
The programme will feature an introductory address from Josh MacAllister MP OBE with speeches from Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council and Cllr Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, underlining the importance of Cumbria’s contribution to the UK economy.
Josh MacAllister MP OBE said:
“Cumbria has always played a vital role in our national story - from defence and advanced manufacturing to clean energy and food production - and we are ready to build on that legacy.
"Cumbria Day in Westminster is about demonstrating that ours is not a peripheral economy, but a nationally significant one. We have the sector strengths, the natural assets and, crucially, the partnership approach needed to deliver long-term, inclusive growth.
"By bringing together investors, policymakers and business leaders, we are sending a clear message: Cumbria is ambitious, co-ordinated and open for investment. Working together across councils, industry and government, we can unlock the next chapter of opportunity for our communities and make an even greater contribution to the UK’s economic future.”
John Barradell OBE, Interim Chief Executive of the Cumbria Combined Authority, added:
“Cumbria has a huge amount to offer, not just to the UK but to the wider world. We’re already leading in areas like clean energy, advanced manufacturing and defence, and there’s real global interest in the work happening here.
“Cumbria Day in Westminster is our chance to show that we’re serious about growth, serious about partnership and ready to step onto the international stage with confidence. This is about backing our people, our places and our potential – and making sure everyone knows what Cumbria can deliver.”
Cumbria Day will be followed up with a high-profile showcase at the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF), which is set to take place between 19 -21 May 2026, in Leeds.
The Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“Working together, we believe that the Cumberland and Cumbrian economy can perform better. We can only do that by being ambitious, agreeing priorities and working together to bring about change.
“Cumbria Day forms the centrepiece of a campaign to position Cumbria as a nationally significant investment destination, building on the bold vision and evidence base of the Going for Growth Strategy. It supports strategic engagement with national decision-makers, investors and influencers and drives momentum towards UKREiiF 2026.”
Cllr Jonathan Brook, Leader of Westmorland Council and Cabinet Member for the Economy, added: "Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to working collaboratively and supporting business, to deliver growth and prosperity across Cumbria.
"The many and varied opportunities within our area, boosted by the move towards a mayoral combined authority, are ushering in an exciting period for investment, innovation, and growth. We want Cumbria to become a key contributor to the UK’s modern industrial strategy, productive economy and net-zero ambitions, all driven by cutting edge advanced manufacturing, tourism, and food production.
"This Cumbria in Westminster Day, will highlight and reinforce our message to policymakers, investors and business leaders, that Cumbria delivers nationally important projects, leads the way in innovation and has fantastic natural capital and is ideally placed to offer significant growth opportunities."