UK Decision-Makers Show Interest in Expanding to Germany, Specifically Rheinisches Revier
Monday 28 July, 2025 – A recent YouGov survey commissioned by NRW.Global Business has revealed that more than half of corporate decision-makers in the UK are planning to expand their businesses abroad in the next five years. Out of these respondents, 72 percent express interest in expanding to Germany, with 84 percent specifically considering Rheinisches Revier. This trend is particularly prominent among the younger generation of decision-makers.
The survey, which also included participants from Switzerland and the Netherlands, showed that UK decision-makers have a positive perception of Germany as a business location. 22 percent of respondents expressed plans for immediate expansion, while a further 27 percent are looking to do so within the next two to five years. The survey also revealed that 70 percent of young decision-makers, aged up to 34, are seriously considering expansion in the next five years or are already in the process.
Germany specifically was highly regarded by UK decision-makers, with 72 percent of respondents rating the country as an attractive location (31 percent “very attractive” and 41 percent “rather attractive”). The survey highlighted key factors that make Germany an appealing location, such as its geographical location, well-developed infrastructure, availability of skilled workers, and strong research partners.
Among these factors, Rheinisches Revier, which is currently undergoing a transformation from Europe’s largest open-cast lignite mine to a climate-neutral industrial region, stands out as a top choice for UK decision-makers. In fact, 84 percent of respondents found the region attractive, with a majority of 94 percent of young decision-makers expressing enthusiasm for the industrial hub in western Germany.
Jochen Pollotzek, General Manager of Rheinisches Revier at NRW.Global Business, attributes this high level of interest to the region’s ability to meet crucial site requirements. “We offer companies from the United Kingdom access to important EU markets and a clear vision,” he says. “We are pleased that we can attract the young generation and are able to shape the future together with them.”
The transformation region of Rheinisches Revier checks all the boxes for UK decision-makers, meeting important criteria such as geographical location, availability of skilled workers, well-developed infrastructure, and strong research partners. “Around 60 million people live within a radius of 250 kilometres, including, of course, many highly trained specialists,” Pollotzek emphasizes, referring to its proximity to the economic metropolises of Cologne and Düsseldorf, as well as Europe’s most important seaports.
Moreover, Rheinisches Revier also offers commercial space in a prime location and attractive funding instruments. The region is also actively working on digital transformation in collaboration with a network of internationally leading research institutions. This perfectly aligns with the technological priorities of UK decision-makers, who have cited “artificial intelligence” and “IoT” as important trends for the next five years. Pollotzek asserts that Rheinisches Revier provides an environment that explicitly supports these future technologies. “Rheinisches Revier offers a particularly innovation-friendly setting for AI and IoT, thanks to Microsoft’s planned hyperscale data centres,” he says.
In addition to technological aspects, sustainability also plays a relevant role in the investment decision. 23 percent of decision-makers cite it as an important factor, making the transformation of Rheinisches Revier into a climate-neutral industrial location a highly attractive prospect for potential investors.
The survey, which was conducted from 12th to 18th May 2025, gathered data from 554 company decision-makers in the UK. It was not quoted and the results were not weighted, making them not necessarily representative.
About Rheinisches Revier
Located in the west of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rheinisches Revier is Europe’s largest lignite mining region and a hub for energy-intensive industry in Germany. However, the region is undergoing a transformation and will phase out open-cast lignite mining by 2030. With a transformation budget of 14.8 billion euros and favorable starting conditions, Rheinisches Revier is on its way to becoming Europe’s first climate-neutral industrial location. NRW.Global Business, the state-owned trade agency of North Rhine-Westphalia, works to attract international companies to participate in this project and capitalize on the momentum for change.
Contact:
Phuong Anh Kitty Krause
Project Manager Marketing Rheinisches Revier
+49 211 13000-501
krause@nrwglobalbusiness.com
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.