Businesses continue to choose the north-east despite uncertain outlook
New figures published by Invest Newcastle show that in 2025/26 a total of 31 firms established operations in Newcastle and Gateshead, while a further 12 businesses expanded. According to the agency, that activity generated 1,619 new jobs and safeguarded 611 existing roles across the city region.
The results are presented by Invest Newcastle, the inward investment arm run by the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative (NGI). The organisation highlights the consistency of inward investment during a period of wider global uncertainty, pointing to steady numbers compared with the previous year.
- New businesses located: 31
- Business expansions: 12
- New jobs created: 1,619
- Jobs safeguarded: 611
Several individual investments were singled out in the summary as examples of the type and scale of inward activity.
| Company | Location / project | Jobs (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Kaefer | Live Works, Newcastle Quayside | 200 |
| Modern World Business Solutions | Hoults Yard, Newcastle | ~100 |
| Pneuma Games Group / Last Arrow Games | Gateshead | Not specified |
The report also notes the arrival of education and creative-sector projects designed to bolster skills and employment routes, including a new Arden University campus on Newcastle Helix and LMA Newcastle, a creative campus focusing on music, performance and screen industries.
"While businesses around the world are becoming more cautious about expansion, Newcastle has delivered another year of strong and consistent performance, helping to create jobs, safeguard employment and generate significant economic value for the city," said Coun Owen Burbridge, cabinet member for economy, jobs and skills at Newcastle City Council.
For Gateshead residents the headline numbers translate into local opportunities and reinforced demand for skills across multiple sectors. The creation of nearly 1,600 roles across the city region is likely to affect commuting patterns, recruitment in local services and prospects for training providers looking to place residents into work.
How these jobs and projects convert into vacancies for Gateshead voters will depend on the recruitment strategies of individual companies, the types of roles created and the availability of local skills. The report offers a positive snapshot for the area but also underlines the ongoing need for coordinated local training and employment support to ensure residents can access the new positions being created.
Invest Newcastle will publish further detail on the businesses involved and the sectors represented as it continues to promote the region to potential investors.
