The unrivalled landscapes, cultural heritage and thriving towns and cities are just part of the reason that three out of four of the UK's top 100 companies have a business location in the North West. Some of the most recognised brands in the world call the North West home, from the leading search engine to luxury car manufacturers.

With over 400 million people within a 4 hour flight of the North West, the business investment opportunity has never been better.

Here are ten more compelling reasons to invest in England's North West

1. The Northwest has over 7m residents and more than 230,000 businesses. With a turnover of £106 billion, higher than 14 EU countries including Denmark and Finland, it is the 12th largest economy in Europe.

2. This region has the UK's highest turnover and workforce capacity in the manufacturing sector, making it one of only three regions that positively contributes to the UK balance of Trade.

3. The largest concentration of universities in the United Kingdom is in the North West, and produces over 50,000 graduates a year. The University of Manchester is the UK's largest single site university and has a turnover of £500 million per year. Leading national businesses such as those in the aerospace, pharmaceutical and nuclear fields work closely with the region's universities.

4. As well as being home to some of the world's leading financial, research and manufacturing companies, and many universities, you may be surprised to learn that almost a third of the North West is designated as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Lake District is the most famous of these, and there are well known national parks and wildlife areas in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire. Whilst in the North West, you are never very far from the countryside, the coast, or spectacular views.

5. World class engineering in aerospace, automotive, advanced materials and chemical manufacturing can all be found in the North West. Nuclear power research and environmental technology are also important industries.

6. The largest food and drink producing region in England and Wales is the North West in terms of manufacturing units, and is responsible for almost 15% of total regional employment. Some of the worlds leading food and drink companies have their primary business location in the North West.

7. Home to 31,000 digital and creative companies, employing over 320,000 people, the North West is a thriving region in terms of media and modern technology investment. Information technology, web design and marketing feature strongly, and Liverpool is widely acknowledged as one of the leading cities in terms of computer games design. TV and film production in the region is increasing, and the North West is the second largest broadcasting market in the UK, and home to the largest production company outside of London.

8. Approximately 11% of the regions workforce is involved in business and finance. The North West offers a broad range of financial, legal, property and consultancy services. Major international financial institutions are also investing in the North West, particularly in Manchester.

9. With approximately 230 biomedical companies employing 25,000 people, the area between Liverpool and Manchester on the M62 / M56 corridor, is home also home to six multinational pharmaceutical companies. Liverpool is home to the new National Biomanufacturing Centre, whilst the University of Manchester has the only 5-star Biological Sciences Department in the country. Genetics research also features prominently in the North West.

10. Quality of life is very important here. With affordable housing, excellent shopping, nightlife, musical heritage, internationally renowned sporting success and world class football, and horseracing venues, uninterrupted coastline and more, there is always plenty to do in the North West, whether in the city or the countryside.

The northwest is the ideal business location for UK investment. From food to finance, medicine to media and genetics to game design, the North West has it all.

Find out more about why the England's North West is the ideal Business Location, and more Investment Information, and learn more about the Key Business Locations in the North West.