Exeter is uniquely poised to flourish. It has a healthy and growing economic base and, as a thriving university city, is surrounded by some of the most beautiful and tranquil countryside in Britain. It offers unrivalled quality of life to its inhabitants. Exeter is currently top of the league of the most desirable UK cities to which companies would like to relocate, and has just been granted Lord Mayoral status by Her Majesty the Queen.

With a population of about 112,000 which rises to nearly half a million within a 45 minute catchment, Exeter is fast becoming the hub of economic development in the South West. As inward investment has continued so the demand for good quality housing has outstripped supply and the city and its surrounding towns and villages have developed a strong residential market.

The Roman walls and the medieval cathedral showcase Exeter's rich history and culture, as well as its more modern role as a regional capital - the city attracts over a million visitors each year, generating over £50 million annually. Beyond the city there are no less than seven designated 'Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty' - including, of course, Dartmoor - to explore. There are four RSPB Nature Reserves and numerous opportunities to explore Britain's history and heritage. The River Exe estuary has a large range of water-sports available and the Devon coastline offers some of the best sailing and surfing in Europe. These are just a few examples of rich variety of leisure and lifestyle pursuits which add so much to the quality of life of Exeter's inhabitants and which are helping to attract new residents.

Exeter was first identified as having potential for economic investment in the 1994 Regional Planning Guidance. Numerous initiatives such as 'Vision 20:20', 'The Marketing Partnership' and the 'Exeter Ambassadors' scheme have helped make this a reality. The city council's 'Exeter - the regional capital' promotion was instrumental in attracting the Met Office move from Bracknell, which represents the biggest ever relocation of an IT-based organization within Europe, directly creating at least 2000 jobs in the area.

Over 70 companies and organisations have set up or relocated around Exeter recently. Knowledge-based industries are capitalising on their links with the universities, and mainstream employers such as Reuters news agency and SWEB are choosing the area for new headquarters. There are two major industrial estates on the city's edge, as well as four well situated business parks, and a fifth being established close to the airport.

The arrival of the South West Regional Development Agency headquarters has been a magnet for inward investment, as has the 'University for Industry' which is run by the Government Office for the South West. Exeter will benefit from, but is not reliant upon, the EU Objective 2 funding of £108 million over the next 7 years, which is targeted at the 'Atlantic Arc' area covering Devon and Cornwall.