Sectors
     
The local business economy consists of a diverse mix of sectors, with the main ones summarised in the list below:
  • Information and communications technology (ICT)
  • Financial services
  • Business support
  • Aerospace industry and advanced engineering
  • Marine
  • Environmental technologies
  • Tourism
  • Creative industries
  • Rural
  • Food and drink
  • Science and technology

The ICT, financial services and business support sectors are important in developing a more competitive local business economy as they tend to be made up of relatively higher value adding companies.  These sectors have all experienced significant growth in the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation during the last decade.
     

Airbus

  
Pressures from globalisation have tended to cause the national manufacturing sector to decline.  However, the advanced engineering and marine sectors have been able to thrive locally with world renowned companies such as Cobham Plc and Sunseeker International.  At the same time, the area is also looking to develop a pioneering environmental technologies sector across the county to complement its aim of promoting sustainable development in the local area.
     

Tourism remains a vital sector to both Dorset’s countryside and the Bournemouth and Poole conurbation.  Employment projections for the tourism sector continue to show significant growth potential.  There are initiatives underway to develop the higher value end of the tourism market, which should benefit from the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy hosting all the sailing events for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  The strong tourism sector also supports the area’s vibrant creative industries.

Although the rural and food and drink sectors are traditionally viewed as being in decline, recent trends towards farmers markets for high quality products with low ‘food miles’ have created numerous opportunities that have already led to greater economic diversity within Dorset’s more rural communities.
 
Bournemouth Borough Council
Dorset County Council
Borough of Poole
 
For further information contact us on:
+44 (0)01305 224797