03 Nov 2025
Glasgow has advanced two places to seventh, while Edinburgh has retained its position as the UK’s second most attractive city for foreign direct investment (FDI), according to the latest in-depth study by Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie (WJM) and Irwin Mitchell.
The report, produced in partnership with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr), compares 48 UK cities in relation to economic growth, skills, and infrastructure*, providing a comprehensive view of where investment opportunities are rising – and where challenges remain.
In the latest edition, Edinburgh secures second place with an overall score of 52.0. It says the city demonstrates consistent strength across all three pillars, particularly Local Infrastructure, where it rose 1.6 points to score 64.1. Improvements in online connectivity and infrastructure also underpin Edinburgh’s success, while its skills base remains robust.
Glasgow has risen two places to seventh in the latest Index, achieving a score of 44.9 – an increase of 3.4 points from the previous edition. This improvement is largely driven by a substantial 11.6-point gain in the Growth Potential pillar, where Glasgow now ranks seventh nationally. The report says that steady progress in both infrastructure and skills further reinforces the city’s reputation as a dynamic and adaptable destination for investment.
Investment Attractiveness Index Q3 2025 (Irwin Mitchell / Cebr)
|
City |
Growth Potential |
Local Skills |
Local Infrastructure |
Overall Score |
|
London |
56.7 |
111.9 |
61.5 |
76.7 |
|
City of Edinburgh |
49.8 |
42.0 |
64.1 |
52.0 |
|
Oxford |
40.9 |
39.5 |
71.8 |
50.7 |
|
Birmingham |
63.8 |
39.0 |
46.9 |
49.9 |
|
Greater Manchester |
40.8 |
65.7 |
42.2 |
49.6 |
|
Cambridge |
39.4 |
34.9 |
68.1 |
47.5 |
|
Glasgow |
45.5 |
36.2 |
53.1 |
44.9 |
|
Leeds |
48.1 |
31.7 |
49.7 |
43.2 |
|
Manchester |
53.7 |
28.1 |
46.6 |
42.8 |
|
Bristol |
43.0 |
38.5 |
45.9 |
42.5 |
Fraser Gillies, Managing Partner at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, commented on the findings, saying: “At Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, we see first-hand the opportunities and potential that exist for international investors in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. Edinburgh’s robust infrastructure and highly-skilled workforce, alongside Glasgow’s dynamic growth and improving infrastructure, make Scotland a standout destination for investment.
“With a continued focus on delivery, policy stability, and effective local governance, I am confident that both cities will remain at the forefront of global investment destinations for years to come.”
The report sets out a series of policy recommendations, including deepening workforce skills and research collaboration, especially in growth sectors; spreading London’s advantages across the UK through infrastructure and devolved investment tools; ensuring Industrial Strategy Zones deliver real outcomes rather than just designations; and prioritising policy stability and strong trade relationships to maintain the UK’s global competitiveness.
Pushpin Singh, Senior Economist at Cebr, added: “Our research shows that the UK’s FDI landscape has strengthened on the back of a modestly improved economic outlook compared with this time last year, despite ongoing domestic and global headwinds.
“However, the recovery remains uneven: while some cities are seeing renewed growth, with the capital once again leading the way, others continue to lag. Converting this relative improvement into a sustained, nationwide upswing will require further targeted action to close these gaps.”
