Partner Article

Leeds City Region Announces Ambitious Investment Ready Programme

~~The UK’s largest city region economy* outside of the South East, has today unveiled its full programme of activity for the world’s leading property forum, MIPIM 2015.

Leeds City Region has announced its packed programme of activity, which will showcase the city region as the premier investment ready location in the UK.

The three day long programme which is interspersed with one on one meetings with key decision makers and influencers will be launched on Tuesday 10th March with a briefing by the chief executive of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan and Councillor James Newman, chair of Sheffield City Region, exploring the connected ambition of the two city regions which are partnering at this year’s forum.

The programme also sees the launch of Leeds City Region’s six big investment ready packages to the international audience of developers, investors and occupiers. The opportunities which include Europe’s largest city centre development opportunity. Activity will then move to focus on maximising the potential of transport hubs such as York Central and outlining the potential of a HS2 station on Leeds South Bank and the developments around Leeds Station including the new southern entrance which will improve access to sites around Holbeck and Leeds Dock.

One of the most anticipated parts of the programme will be a panel discussion featuring leaders of five core Northern cities on investing in the future of the Northern Powerhouse. The breakfast debate has been organised by Leeds City RegionLEP? in partnership with colleagues from Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield and will feature city leaders such as Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council and Ged Fitzgerald, chief executive of Liverpool City Council alongside Roger Marsh, chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (The LEP), John Mothersole, chief executive of Sheffield City Council and Pat Ritchie, chief executive of Newcastle City Council.

Other activity during the week involves exploring the potential of transport hubs such as York Central and Commercial Estate Group’s Kirkstall Forge, and a looks at the knowledge economy and how the work between the private sector and the regions nine universities is crucial in keeping its industries at the forefront of their disciplines.

Edward Ziff, property chairman at Town Centre Securities, commented: “MIPIM offers the private and public sectors a fantastic opportunity to unite and showcase what makes Leeds City Region the premier investment ready location in the UK, namely our infrastructure and strong economy.

“This year’s programme truly embodies the fantastic range of opportunities which are available across the city region, from the impending arrival of HS2 and intra city infrastructure improvements such as ‘HS3’, through to the opportunities that more devolved powers to local government bring and how partnerships between the private sector and the region’s Universities offer a path to a sustainable future.”

Roger Marsh, chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (The LEP) added: “With the UK’s largest city region economy outside of London and a pipeline of investment opportunities, investor and business confidence in the region continues to grow. “Our programme reflects this increase in confidence, and by collaborating with colleagues across the North we are able to speak with a united voice, maximising our unique strengths and assets and enabling the region to unleash its full growth potential as a key part of the economic ‘Northern’ powerhouse.”

~~The programme, which has been described as the most ambitious ever put together by the Leeds City Region, is supported by private sector investment in partnership with The LEP, and demonstrates the connected ambition of the public and private sector in the region. This year Wellington Place has been announced as the headline partner and is joined by partners Arup, CEG, GVA, Town Centre Securities, Shulmans LLP, Harworth Estates, Munroe K and Curtins Consulting. aql, Monaghans, One Leeds Plc and Barton Legal are also signed up as supporters.

To find out more information about Leeds City Region’s attendance at MIPIM 2015 and its delegation, please visit www.investleedscityregion.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ben Ormsby .