2024 – a Year of Progress and Partnership

by Heather Hamilton

Happy New Year

It is natural to reflect on the challenges we have faced, the opportunities we embraced and the goals we surpassed. For Business Doncaster, 2024 was a year of exceptional progress, resilience, collaboration, and results. From attracting major investments to fostering innovation and creating opportunities for businesses and residents alike, the team have worked tirelessly to strengthen the economic foundation of our city.

Here's a look back at the milestones, achievements, and successes we achieved together this year:

  • The 2024 events calendar kicked off with the Doncaster Business Showcase 2024 in February at Doncaster Racecourse which was our biggest to date with over 300 exhibition stands and more than 2,500 visitors on the day.
  • The team attended and exhibited at the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds highlighting the best that the City of Doncaster, and South Yorkshire, has to offer to a national audience.
  • Business Doncaster played a pivotal role in securing Hybrid Air Vehicles’ decision to establish their production facility for their flagship Airlander 10 aircraft at Carcroft Common, Doncaster. This investment is expected to generate over 1,200 high-value green jobs and new supply chains, further solidifying our reputation as a hub for manufacturing and engineering.
  • Holtec Britain has shortlisted South Yorkshire as the region for its new SMR factory in the UK. The factory would present a £1.3bn investment and major job creation opportunity.
  • The reopening of our beloved airport remains the Mayor’s number one priority. A long-term lease has been signed and an operator has been found – and we firmly believe it can and will be a successful airport with planes set to return to the skies in Spring 2026, making it a key economic driver for Doncaster, South Yorkshire, and the North.
  • Network Rail agreed a 25-year lease for the former Rail College site and will reopen it as a Network Rail Training Centre providing apprenticeships and trainee engineering opportunities in an industry leading facility.
  • Our Advance Doncaster team organised and delivered two exceptional and well received Recruitment Showcase events and continue to deliver exceptional work in helping residents into employment and training.
  • Our regionally recognised Property Forum continues to go from strength to strength… our Manufacturing, Construction and Finance Forums are starting to create the same impact. We have also recently launched a Creative, Digital & Tech Forum too.
  • We have continued to deliver exceptional levels of business support working with colleagues and partners to help make a difference. The team have successfully delivered several grant programmes including Productivity and Digitisation, Low Carbon and the Rural England Prosperity Fund, yielding promising results for our local business community.   
  • The number of businesses engaging with our Launchpad start up programme continues to grow, with our advisors delivering an excellent level of support to new would-be entrepreneurs looking to start a business.
  • Doncaster ranks first in Yorkshire for SME growth, with an 11.3% increase in the number of small businesses between 2019 and 2023.
  • Doncaster was positioned within the top 5 locations in fDi Intelligence’s Small European Cities of the Future 2023/24 – FDI Strategy category, acknowledging the hard work and efforts of Business Doncaster and City of Doncaster Council to attract new investment. Being recognised in this way shows that Doncaster continues to be a fantastic place for businesses to invest and grow.
  • We continue to promote our five key development sites to attract inward investment, with fantastic progress being made throughout the year on a number of these.
  • Promotion and marketing of the city centre along with significant high-quality investment in public realm and the redevelopment of several buildings for commercial and residential use is starting to make a visible positive difference. 
  • 2025 will see the introduction of a new 25-year masterplan for Doncaster city centre.
  • A new Digital Tech Hub: a £24 million five storey Grade A office building funded through the Town Deal will be part of City Centre urban regeneration plans.  

Some of our achievements in numbers:  

  • Contributed to over £120 million of new investment coming into Doncaster.
  • Been involved in the creation of 111 new jobs and safeguarded a further 58 jobs.
  • Provided business support to 197 businesses.
  • Created £1.74 million in new supply chain opportunities for local businesses.
  • Handled 288 new property related enquiries.
  • Provided support to 677 individuals looking for employment and training opportunities.
  • Supported 332 clients through our Launchpad business support programme.

And finally, if you are receiving or have received business support from Business Doncaster, thank you for working with us and for allowing us to be part of your business success. If you are not yet receiving support and feel that you might require some assistance, then the Business Doncaster team would be delighted to hear from you and discuss how we can help you deliver your business goals in 2025.

Retirement announcement:

We would like to announce the retirement of our Head of Service, Chris Dungworth. Chris retired at the end of November after more than two decades of service to Doncaster and the business community. Over the years, Chris played a pivotal role in shaping Doncaster’s economic landscape and has been instrumental in several landmark projects and achievements.

On behalf of Business Doncaster, we wish you all the very best for your retirement in the sun!

Looking Ahead:

This year was a testament to the power of collaboration. None of these achievements would have been possible without the support of our partners, stakeholders, and the business community we proudly serve.

Together we’re not just building an economy – we’re shaping a future. Thank you for joining us on this journey, and here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and opportunity in Doncaster.


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