England cricket star champions Leeds City Region

The England wicketkeeper is a proud Bradfordian and will represent the City Region at next week�s property and investment forum in Cannes, France.

Mr Bairstow will officially open Leeds City Region�s stand at the global gathering of investors, developers and occupiers, as well as taking part in a question and answer session in front of an audience of invited senior delegates.

He will join the City Region�s largest ever delegation of private and public sector decision-makers as part of the packed programme of events, panel discussions and networking receptions to showcase the scale of investment opportunity across the UK�s largest city region economy, population and workforce.

Leeds City Region will be using this year�s MIPIM property and investment forum to confirm its position as the �power behind the Powerhouse� � the city region that makes the biggest economic contribution to the Northern Powerhouse and generates more for UK plc than any other city region nationally.

Mr Bairstow and the wider delegation will be showcasing the strength of business confidence in Leeds City Region, which includes 6% growth in private sector jobs over the past year - the highest rate of private sector jobs growth in the UK.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: �I�m absolutely delighted and thrilled that Jonny Bairstow will join Leeds City Region�s delegation to MIPIM.

�Not only is Jonny an internationally recognised cricketer, he is also a passionate advocate of the City Region and the tremendous offer it provides to investors worldwide.

�MIPIM gives Leeds City Region a global platform to share its benefits to the world and I know that Jonny will wholeheartedly support us in this regard.�

Jonny Bairstow said: �As a cricketer I am privileged to travel the world playing sport. It is clear to me that Leeds City Region is not only a jewel in the crown of the UK economy but one with international appeal thanks to its combination of winning ingredients.

�I am very much looking forward to acting as an ambassador to Leeds City Region and supporting this important delegation at one of the world�s foremost events.�

This year�s delegation is the largest group to attend from Leeds City Region to date, and includes headline sponsors Thorpe Park Leeds, a joint venture by Scarborough Group and Legal & General Capital, plus sponsors including Addleshaw Goddard, Arcadis, Architecture519, Arup, Aql, Bruntwood, Caddick, CEG, Citu, DLA Architects, Extra MSA, GVA, Harworth Estates, Heeton Holdings, Keepmoat, Leeds Braford Airport, MEPC, Munroe K, Muse, NJL Consulting, Quod, Shulmans, TCS and Turner and Townsend.