Business

Creating the right conditions for growth

Hertfordshire is home to a substantial number of very small businesses, but relatively few that grow to medium size (and beyond) to become principal wealth generators. We are investing in projects and programmes to encourage research and development for commercial success; promote opportunities for knowledge transfer; and unlock business scale-up and job creation.

Our Hertfordshire Growth Hub works to accelerate the growth and development of our SMEs and is the central gateway to business support within the county.

Developing Hertfordshire's key sectors

Hertfordshire has several internationally significant sectors, notably life sciences, agri-tech, advanced engineering and manufacturing, sustainable construction and the creative industries. Cultivating these sectors is a cornerstone of our Strategic Economic Plan. We are stimulating growth through our targeted programme of investment and our work with local partners and neighbouring LEPs to maximise opportunities. 

Strengthening the visitor economy

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the total annual value of tourism to Hertfordshire was £2.4bn, supporting over 43,000 jobs across the county. Hertfordshire’s official visitor economy and business tourism service, Visit Herts, works to boost the volume and value of tourism in the county and supports the growth and development of local tourism and hospitality-sector businesses.

Securing inward investment

We are unlocking future development at key sites particularly in relation to Herts IQ, the county's enterprise zone, which is bringing forward 3 million sq. ft. of new commercial space and building a cluster of clean tech, smart construction and agri-tech companies.

We are also working with Government departments and national bodies to ensure that appropriate levels of investment are secured, and with our local authority partners to avoid loss of employment land in locations that are critical to our key growth sectors.