Leeds City Region’s largest ever MIPIM delegation take off to 'fly the flag for the region'

Leeds City Region’s largest ever delegation to the MIPIM global investment and property forum has taken off from Leeds Bradford Airport.

The group of 100 business and government leaders took off at 10.40am on a specially chartered flight, made possible due to the support of Leeds-headquartered airline, Jet2.com.

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.

Among the other attendees are a wide range of 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.

Leeds City Region’s delegation will be using the international platform provided by MIPIM to showcase the scale of investment opportunity in the UK’s largest city region economy and population centre to investors, developers and occupiers.

Roger Marsh OBE, chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “Over the past few years, I have seen Leeds City Region’s attendance at MIPIM - and the successes we’ve achieved as a result – grow exponentially.

“The fact that we’re once again taking out a record-breaking delegation to fly the flag for the region overseas is testament to the palpable surge in business confidence we’re experiencing here.

“Businesses have been requesting a direct flight to MIPIM for a number of years, and now that we’ve been able to team up with Jet2.com and Leeds Bradford Airport to achieve this ambition I expect the number of partners eager to join us in attracting new investment and jobs to the City Region to increase yet further.

“Our business case to investors and developers has never been stronger. Now is the time to invest in Leeds City Region and be part of the extraordinary journey we’re embarking upon.”

Phil Ward, managing director at Jet2.com, added: “As the leading airline in Yorkshire and the north of England, we are very pleased to be providing flights to this major conference.

“As well as supporting the region and its local businesses, the addition of this flight means we are extending our summer 2017 programme to Nice from Leeds Bradford, giving more people the opportunity to experience the charm and magic of the French Riviera.”

Tony Hallwood, Leeds Bradford Airport’s aviation development director, also commented: “Leeds Bradford Airport are really pleased to be sponsoring the Leeds City Region delegation at MIPIM Cannes 2017.

“We are committed to supporting business growth in the region, providing great connectivity options to grow and develop business across key markets.

“We have also worked closely with Jet2.com to introduce flights to Nice to MIPIM for the first time this year and we are proud to be offering this opportunity for the Leeds City Region delegation to travel conveniently from their regional airport.”