News from our partners: Midlands Engine showcases £17.6 billion of investment opportunities at conference
Investors have gathered for the Midlands UK Forum for Growth, showcasing £17.6 billion worth of investment opportunities across housing, connectivity, regeneration, technology and green energy in the region.
The region’s and the UK’s first trade and investment event of its kind, the Forum will bring together public and private sector leaders and investors from around the world, including Midlands Engine Chairman Sir John Peace, Mayor of Leicester Sir Peter Soulsby and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.
It is being led by England’s leading pan-regional partnership, the Midlands Engine, with the aim to achieve the region’s vision for greater sustainable growth and economic prosperity.
The event comes as the UK Government looks to drive forward plans to ‘level up’ the country with a 10-point plan for a green recovery. It will highlight the central role the Midlands can play in helping to execute the Prime Minister’s ambition to build back bigger, better and greener.
Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine, said:
“This event is the very first of its kind in the UK. Over the next three days we will be showcasing to our global audience £17.6 billion worth of tangible investment opportunities.
“The potential for growth here in the Midlands is vast. And by bringing all of this potential together – into a single platform of international investment opportunities – we are truly pioneering.
“No other region in the UK is doing this. That we are, is testament to the strength of our Midlands Engine Partnership.”
Communities Secretary and Midlands Engine Champion, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, said:
“A thriving Midlands Engine is essential to a successful UK economy, and will be vital to the recovery of the country from the pandemic as we all begin to build back better.
“That’s why this Government is backing the Midlands with the investment the region needs to grow its £250 billion economy. With the substantial financial support that the Government has provided, we can ensure that its businesses are able to fire on all cylinders and truly level up communities across the region.
“As Midlands Engine Champion it is great to see how the partnership is promoting the wealth of investment opportunities the Midlands has to offer, both nationally and globally, as a region at the vanguard of our green recovery and the heart of the country’s transport and logistics.”
The Midlands UK Forum for Growth is a unique opportunity to bring together public and private organisations from the Midlands, along with international investors, to gain a comprehensive insight into the region’s strategy, policy and plans for sustainable growth: from infrastructure, investment and innovation, to skills and education, homes and communities, clean energy and technology.
Home to almost 11 million people – more than Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales combined – the Midlands drives 22% of England’s exports and generates £239 billion for the UK economy each year – an economy the size of Denmark’s.
The Midlands has seen significant growth over the past five years, but for the Government to fulfil its promises to level up the region, regional leaders are calling for further investment across sectors such as green energy, digital and transport connectivity to help drive the growth that the country needs and to reach net zero.
