The UK may attract high levels of FDI, but there is an ever greater number of Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) vying for this capital. To succeed in winning it, LEPs must be armed with the right expertise, a clear brand message and, of course, a distinct competitive advantage.

The UK county of Essex is leveraging its skilled workforce, entrepreneurial culture and proximity to London to forge ties with foreign investors. 

With locations around the world falling for the charms of SMEs, Michal Kaczmarski looks at the innovative ways in which IPAs are attracting and nurturing smaller business, and assesses benefits they receive as the SMEs blossom into something much more lucrative.

Scotland's already impressive tourist numbers will rise further still in 2014 as the country hosts the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup. Its hotel industry is well prepared to cope with this influx of visitors.