Governor Abigail Spanberger and a Virginia delegation concluded the United Kingdom portion of her first economic trade mission yesterday, focusing on strengthening international business relationships, attracting new investment, and expanding economic opportunities across the Commonwealth. Over four days, the Governor and her team met with more than 30 companies spanning the aerospace, aviation, defense, biopharmaceutical, agriculture, and forestry industries.
At the Farnborough International Airshow, Governor Spanberger, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery, and Virginia Economic Development Partnership leaders engaged with global executives to explore new investment in Virginia’s aerospace, aviation, and defense sectors. Governor Spanberger said, "Virginia is a global hub for aerospace, aviation, and defense, and it was fantastic to meet with many of the industry leaders who call the Commonwealth home and many more who will in the future."
The delegation also met with UK counterparts in agriculture and forestry, promoting Virginia’s craft breweries at the London Craft Beer Festival and building relationships with forest product importers. Additionally, Governor Spanberger toured AstraZeneca’s global headquarters in Cambridge, discussing the company’s significant expansion in Albemarle County and Virginia’s life sciences ecosystem.
This mission underscores Governor Spanberger’s commitment to economic growth, following Virginia’s recent ranking as #3 in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business.” The administration has announced over $5 billion in new business investment and more than 3,000 new jobs since she took office. The delegation will continue its mission in Italy and France, seeking further partnerships in strategic industries.