On the Last Day of the International Business Development Leadership Mission to the United Kingdom, Florida Anchors Aerospace, Maritime, Advanced Manufacturing and Economic Development Partnerships in Edinburgh and Northern Ireland

Edinburgh, Scotland

On the final day of the International Business Development Leadership Mission to the United Kingdom, members of the delegation held meetings and site visits in Edinburgh, Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland—anchoring new relationships across key industries including aerospace and aviation, military and defense, insurance and reinsurance, FinTech and financial services, maritime, AgTech, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and emerging technologies. Governor DeSantis also announced the second cohort of SpaceTech companies for Space Florida and Seraphim Space’s Investment Readiness Program, and the addition of 18 new flights between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and London Heathrow (LHR) between July 21 and August 29, 2026.

“Under the Governors’ leadership, this mission has strengthened the partnership and collaboration between Florida and the United Kingdom—further solidifying an accelerator for industry,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “Over the past five days, the delegation, led by Governor DeSantis, met with hundreds of UK businesses and stakeholders across several key industries—including aerospace and aviation, military and defense, insurance and reinsurance, FinTech and financial services, maritime, AgTech, advanced manufacturing, life sciences and emerging technologies— promoting Florida’s competitive business climate and identifying opportunities for future investment and economic growth.”

Today in Edinburgh, Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly and President and CEO of Space Florida Rob Long participated in a series of business meetings with leading Scottish aerospace and aviation companies. Today’s meetings built upon discussions earlier in the week—promoting Florida’s position as a leader in the international aerospace and aviation industry. With three spaceports and 7 spaceport territories, Florida’s space infrastructure and focus on high-skill workforce development provide Scottish companies across the industry with the tools and talent to grow their business beyond their own borders.

Today, Secretary of Transportation Jared W. Perdue led members of the delegation on a site visit at Belfast Harbour in Northern Ireland where Florida leadership received an overview of their long-term strategic vision and infrastructure investments—emphasizing their role in supporting economic development and international trade. Additionally, Secretary Perdue and members of the delegation attended business meetings learning about advanced maritime innovation, transportation technologies and next generation vessel development.

Over the course of the week, senior leaders and members of the delegation made significant strides in advancing the goals laid out in the 2023 Florida-United Kingdom Memorandum of Understanding—an agreement signed by Governor DeSantis and former U.K. Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch that established a framework to increase bilateral investments, strengthen business ties and grow academic partnerships. This mission saw significant achievements in pursuit of those goals, including:

Governor DeSantis officially opened the Florida Pavilion at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow—supporting 18 Florida-based exhibitors and helping them gain access to international markets and potential investment partners.
Governor DeSantis announced that Relativity Space—an aerospace manufacturing company—has committed to expanding its operations on the Space Coast.
Governor DeSantis presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Space Florida and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to advance international space collaboration—the first agreement signed under Florida’s International Aerospace Innovation Fund (IAIF).
Secretaries Kelly and Byrd, and key U.K. stakeholders met for the fifth U.K.- Florida MOU Working Group Meeting to discuss aerospace and aviation, emerging technologies, life sciences, financial services, and quantum and photonics.
Governor DeSantis and Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky joined Lady Mayor Dame Susan Langley for a fireside chat, to discuss insurance and reinsurance.
Secretary Perdue led a group of delegates at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow for a second day, participating in high-level meetings with businesses across the aerospace, aviation, advanced air mobility and defense sectors.
The delegation participating in the Florida Activation Event in London showcasing Florida’s competitive business climate and reinforcing the state’s commitment to building long-term partnerships that create new bilateral opportunities.
The Florida delegation hosted a Florida Business Seminar in Edinburgh, Scotland where Florida leadership, including Secretary Kelly and leadership from the Florida Institute of Technology and the University of Central Florida, spoke to an audience of Scottish companies from several key industries—emphasizing that Florida is the best place to do business.
Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s landmark work, The Wealth of Nations by presiding over an academic partnership signing between Florida International University (FIU) and Heriot-Watt University.
The Aerospace Panel Discussion in Edinburgh brought together key government, higher education and industry stakeholders from both Florida and the U.K. to discuss the regions’ transatlantic aerospace partnership, aerospace infrastructure, commercialization, workforce development and innovation. Panelists identified potential opportunities to strengthen the relationship between Florida and the U.K.’s aerospace industries through investment and economic collaboration.
Governor DeSantis presided over the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Florida and the University of St. Andrews—recognizing the relationship between the United States and United Kingdom in science, research and higher education.

From Sunday, July 20, through Friday, July 24, Governor DeSantis led an international business development mission to the United Kingdom and was joined by a distinguished delegation of state leaders, academic institutions, and industry representatives, including:

Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly

Florida Secretary of Transportation Jared W. Perdue

Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd

Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky

Space Florida President & CEO Rob Long

Florida International University President Jeanette Nuñez

University of Central Florida President Alexander Cartwright

The delegation also included representatives from seven colleges and universities, including Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Institute of Technology, New College of Florida, Polk State College, the University of Florida, 17 Florida economic development organizations and companies across aerospace and aviation, military and defense, transportation, and logistics sectors including 5 airports and 18 Farnborough International Airshow exhibitors.