~ The mission included the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow and engagements in London; Edinburgh and St. Andrews, Scotland; and Belfast, Northern Ireland ~
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - Governor Ron DeSantis led a successful International Business Development Mission to the United Kingdom, further strengthening the Florida-U.K. partnership. The mission included the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow and engagements in London; Edinburgh and St. Andrews, Scotland; and Belfast, Northern Ireland. Building on the Governor's leadership mission to the United Kingdom in April of 2023 and the 2023 Florida-United Kingdom Memorandum of Understanding , the delegation advanced cooperation across key industries-including aerospace and aviation, military and defense, transportation and logistics, financial services, and higher education. Through the announcement of significant investments and the execution of multiple agreements across these sectors, Florida's strong partnership with the United Kingdom has expanded, bolstering the state's economic and academic position. The mission also celebrated the shared history that connects Florida, Scotland, and Northern Ireland-from the ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment that shaped America's founding to the generations of Scots and Scots-Irish whose commitment to liberty helped define the American Revolution and ultimately the character of our nation.
"This mission to the United Kingdom has advanced Florida's position as an international leader across key industries," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "Florida and the United Kingdom have a longstanding and robust relationship-one that continues to build our aerospace and aviation, military and defense, transportation and logistics, and financial services industries. This mission strengthened that high-value partnership, advancing Florida's economic priorities and establishing new academic partnerships."
"The success of this mission is a direct reflection of Governor DeSantis' strategic efforts to position Florida is a confident market for capital investment and an economic leader on the world stage," said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. "Over the course of the week, the delegation worked to strengthen our relationships with our partners in the U.K to advance the 2023 Florida-U.K. Memorandum of Understanding. Through strategic engagements-including the fifth working group of the MOU-not only did we amplify Florida's position as the best place to do business, but we solidified new partnerships across key sectors like aerospace and aviation, military and defense, life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, maritime, AgTech, advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, and quantum and photonics-driving investment and creating jobs for Floridians."
"The success of this mission reflects Florida's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and building the transportation systems that support tomorrow's economy," said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. "The partnerships strengthened throughout the week will help advance emerging transportation technologies, expand economic opportunity through increased trade, and reinforce Florida's leadership on the global stage."
"The partnership between the United Kingdom and Florida is built upon a foundation of shared values that transcend the Atlantic, said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. From world-class schools to innovation and research, Florida and the UK are committed to fostering opportunities and growing together."
"This week reaffirmed something we already knew: the world wants to build with Florida. From new partnerships to the conversations that will shape tomorrow's agreements, our engagements across the UK showed the strength of Florida's aerospace ecosystem and the depth of allied ambition," said Rob Long, President & CEO, Space Florida. "We came to build and execute partnerships, and we are leaving with a stronger foundation for the future of the global space economy."
