29/03/2019 - Permalink

News from our partners: Midlands UK tells its creative story to the world at MIPIM 2019

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News from our partners Midlands UK

The Midlands UK Pavilion showcased its wealth of investment opportunities with a series of successful events at this year’s global property show MIPIM (Cannes, France, 12-15 March 2019).

Representatives, including businesses and investment teams from Herefordshire, Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, joined 78 organisations from a range of sectors to make up the largest ever delegation from the Midlands to take part in the event.

The Pavilion welcomed potential investors, property agents, developers and the media from across the world. The events programme alone attracted footfall of more than 3,500 visits, an increase of 18% from 2,900 last year, according to initial figures.

The region’s cultural and creative economy featured heavily in this year’s programme, with the most popular event of the week hosting Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. The writer and director spoke about the region’s creative quarter and his plans for a new film studio in the Midlands. He was joined by local poet Casey Bailey, who delivered an emotive poem called ‘Midlander’, which focused on the people, place and heritage of the region.

The Midlands UK Pavilion hosted 43 events, including panel discussions and showcase presentations from a range of speakers. Other busy events included included Tuesday’s Welcome Reception, which unveiled ‘The Midlands Engine is here’, a film focusing on the people, potential and opportunities that are brimming throughout the region.

Sir John Peace, Chair of the Midlands Engine, commented:

“This year’s Midlands UK delegation offered exciting updates about existing major projects in the region, and unveiled a number of new ambitious investment opportunities to MIPIM’s international delegates.

“The region’s diverse range of investment opportunities proves that the Midlands is a prime business and investment destination. MIPIM has enabled us to present these schemes to thousands of potential investors during just one week.

“The collaboration between both private and public sector partners was key to this year’s successes and is crucial to maintaining the global competitiveness of the region in the long term.”

Graham Wynn, chairman of the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“The Marches region as a whole is a great place to live, work and do business and that message was received loud and clear at MIPIM.”

Throughout the week regional leaders showcased £11 billion of major developments to potential investors.

The private sector was out in force as part of the largest Midlands UK delegation to ever attend MIPIM. Key partners included Birmingham Airport, Court Collaboration, Jaguar Land Rover, Lendlease and St Joseph.

Nick Spencer, Director of Property, Non-Production Purchasing and Trading Division at Jaguar Land Rover, said:

“We are delighted to support the Midlands delegation at this year’s MIPIM. The Midlands is a fantastic place to live and work and by conveying this message to investors from around the world we hope to continue attracting investment into the region.

“The Midlands is integral to our growth and success as a global automotive manufacturer. Our business is facing ongoing external headwinds however we remain optimistic and continue our commitment to the region. We have recently announced further investment in electrification with the new Battery Assembly Centre in Hams Hall, North Warwickshire and future Electric Drive Units which will be produced at our Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton.”

Midlands Engine

  • The government is committed to making the Midlands an Engine for Growth in the UK, increasing economic growth and improving the quality of life for everyone. The Midlands is home to over 10 million people and over 800,000 businesses. Its economy is worth £220 billion.
  • So far the government has awarded £1.9 billion in three rounds of Growth Deals across the Midlands.
  • 8 Enterprise Zones have been established in the Midlands Engine since 2012, and 3 zones have been extended. By March 2016 these had attracted almost £1 billion of private investment, and created 85 new businesses and 7,291 jobs.

The West Midlands Growth Company

The West Midlands Growth Company helps the region make its mark nationally and internationally. Its primary purpose is to attract investment, jobs, visitors and businesses to the West Midlands.

It is committed to promoting the area as a leading place to invest, do business and visit, working in partnership with Local Enterprise Partnerships, Councils, Growth Hubs, Universities, Chambers of Commerce and hundreds of local businesses.

The West Midlands Growth Company plays an important role in supporting the delivery of the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) Strategic Economic Plan. Its focus is on the WMCA geography of Greater Birmingham and Solihull, Coventry and Warwickshire, and the Black Country.