YORK has been highlighted as a hub for pioneering healthcare techniques in a report into the nation’s economy.

The Future of Business 2011 report, published by HSBC bank, identified a resurgence in manufacturing, particularly in the Midlands and the north-east, but harnessing technological updates, making the UK known for prototyping, plastronics and advanced composites.

The report, which gathers insights from nine industry experts and 500 entrepreneurs and decision makers, identified nine new growth clusters, including regenerative healthcare – where body parts are used to replace damaged tissues, organs or cells – across Edinburgh, Tyneside, York, Nottingham, Cambridge and the Atlantic Gateway, as well as Biochemicals in Yorkshire and Humber.

The report follows on from the first Future of Business report published in 2009, which cited York as a Biotechnology hub.

Mark Vines, HSBC regional commercial director for the north-east, said: “The current report builds on the 2009 report rather than replaces or repeats it. York is an important centre of biotechnology and the area’s strength in regenerative healthcare is closely related to this. The clustering of bioscience companies in the area, inward investment, the capabilities of local universities and the focus of regional bodies such as Science City York were important factors in the decision to highlight the region.”

The report also said Leeds and Newcastle were among seven “supercities” which were perceived to be key to Britain’s business development.