City Region shows Cannes-do attitude with drive to attract more finance from private sector

Later this month Leeds City Region will attend MIPIM 2016 to demonstrate how, through smart city place-making, inter-sector collaboration and some of the world’s foremost research and development, it is on track to become a global powerhouse in the smart cities arena. As the UK’s largest economic area outside of London and the South East, with a GVA of £60.5bn, Leeds City Region will take the opportunity presented by the world’s leading property and investment forum to showcase the opportunities available to international investors, developers and occupiers. The City Region’s attendance at MIPIM this year is being backed by its largest private sector delegation to date, with both national and international organisations such as Arup, Bilfinger GVA, Savills, Arcadis and Addleshaw Goddard endorsing its presence. The delegation at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes will also include representatives from across the City Region’s local authorities, who will set out the confidence and potential of the region by highlighting the examples of regeneration and development that have recently been delivered and are currently on site, in a bid to secure investment, development and occupier interest. Roger Marsh, chairman of the LEP, said: “MIPIM 2016 is about showing that we as a City Region have much to offer international investors, developers and occupiers. “What’s more, we have a track record of phenomenal success, with developments such as MEPC’s Wellington Place, Scarborough Group International’s Thorpe Park Leeds and Westfield’s The Broadway Shopping Centre in Bradford city centre all having benefited from international investment and are now helping unlock further growth. “This year’s programme of activity has been designed to capitalise on the international platform which MIPIM offers to highlight the impact Leeds City Region is having on tomorrow’s world, today.” The City Region’s MIPIM activity will also highlight how Leeds City Region is the premier investment location in the UK, looking at examples such as the recent announcement by Legal and General that it is locating its new manufacturing operation in Sherburn-in-Elmet as a result of support it received from the LEP, creating over 400 jobs. This is just one example of how the LEP works with investors to help them to discover the vast opportunities and benefits that exist within Leeds City Region, supporting international businesses to identify how locating in the City Region can provide them access to new markets, talented staff and help them achieve commercial growth. Through MIPIM the LEP has substantially raised the profile of Leeds City Region as a location for foreign investment; last year EY’s Attractiveness Survey reported that the City Region’s share of UKTI foreign direct investment (FDI) projects rose by 145 per cent from 2013 and the 2015-16 rankings with UKTI currently place it as the primary region outside London for attracting inward investment. Since 2013, the City Region’s presence at MIPIM UK and MIPIM has allowed the LEP’s messages about the region, its strengths, investment projects and quality of life, to reach over 5.5 million people through media coverage, social media, events and networking. As Leeds City Region continues to go from strength to strength, building upon its £10bn investment pipeline, MIPIM provides a global opportunity to showcase its enormous economic potential at the heart of the Northern Powerhouse.