Leeds City Region set to unveil investor readiness at MIPIM 2015

Leeds City Region�s attendence at MIPIM is being supported by a strong private sector presence and endorsement, with partners including Arup, CEG, GVA, Town Centre Securities, Shulmans LLP, Munroe K, Harworth Estates and Curtins alongside additional supporters including aql, Monaghans and Barton Legal. This delegation will be joined by representatives from across the local authorities, who will set out the confidence and potential of the region in a bid to secure investment, speculative development and occupier interest.

This is an opportunity for the public and private sector to engage meaningfully with an audience of global investors and identify how best to take forward the �Big Six� investment opportunities. The city region will out its vision for growth delivered by improved connectivity, a pipeline of innovation and talent and the city region�s central role in the Northern Powerhouse agenda. Through the seminars and bespoke briefings; investors, occupiers and developers will have the opportunity to understand Leeds City Region�s strengths around infrastructure, skills, access to funding, policy and business support, all of which contribute to making it the premier investment ready location in the UK.

Andrew Latchmore, partner at Shulmans LLP and chair of Leeds Property Forum commented, �MIPIM is all about doing business. I�ve attended the forum a number of times and the relationships I�ve built and contacts I�ve made have further widened Shulmans client base in the commercial property sector and helped us to secure new business. MIPIM is crucial to Leeds City Region if it wants to reach an international audience and cement its position as a location for world class development and global investment.�

Roger Marsh, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (The LEP), said, �Leeds City Region is investment-ready with the ambition to deliver transformational growth for the regional and national economy. Government has recognised this by awarding us the largest Local Growth Deal in the country and signalled that further devolved powers and investment could be on the cards. We are in a strong position to demonstrate to potential investors the scale and diversity of the opportunities which exist here.�

Leeds City Region�s presence at MIPIM 2015 will also build upon the region�s collaborative approach with other northern cities, as this year it will work in partnership with Sheffield City Region in a joint delegation. Working together, Leeds and Sheffield city regions alongside delegates from Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle will demonstrate the wider opportunities across the North and the connected ambition to deliver a Northern Powerhouse and rebalance the UK economy to drive growth and jobs for UK plc.

This partnership will see private and public sector delegations from both city regions sharing strategic opportunities around HS2, devolution and further investment and how this will drive strategic economic development across the North.

Roger added, �We are pleased to be working closely with the Sheffield City Region LEP at MIPIM 2015. This offers us the chance to shine a spotlight on the major investment here but also offers an unrivalled opportunity for private sector partners to join a high profile delegation and meet with decision makers from across both city regions.�

Lurene Joseph, CEO of Leeds and Partners, commented, �Over the last three years we have reshaped Leeds City Region�s presence at MIPIM to engage with investors on key policy issues in order to drive investment and job creation throughout the region.

�Our key objective this year is to showcase the major investment ready opportunities available to potential investors alongside the region�s strengths, specifically around access to funding and infrastructure, to shape not only the vision of Leeds City Region but accelerate strategic economic growth.�

James Newman, chairman of Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership added: �In such a highly competitive market place, working together and having a connected ambition can only strengthen our proposition. Our focus for MIPIM 2015 is to build upon the success both city regions experienced at MIPIM UK in October and to showcase the economic potential we both have.�

Leeds City Region�s presence at MIPIM is led by Leeds and Partners on behalf of the LEP.

To find out more information about Leeds City Region�s attendance at MIPIM 2015 please visit www.investleedscityregion.com