Representatives from the North East Combined Authority’s (NECA) seven local authorities, Invest North East England, and the region’s property and business sectors are showcasing the North East to domestic and overseas investors next week.
They are attending MIPIM UK, the UK’s largest exhibition for property professionals that begins on Wednesday 19 and runs to Friday 21 October at London’s Olympia.
The exhibition provides opportunities for the region to make connections with major overseas and UK investors and developers, and illustrate the wide range of North East development opportunities.
In the last two years, Invest North East England, together with its seven NECA partners and the UK Government, has helped to attract 204 inward investments into the North East from both foreign and UK-owned businesses and leading to the creation of 9,500 jobs.
MIPIM plays a key part in showcasing the region’s strengths and opportunities to potential investors
Guy Currey from Invest North East England (INEE), which has organised and is leading the delegation, said: “This is one of the biggest events in the property industry’s calendar so it’s important that we take the opportunity to represent the North East and let people know why the region is such an attractive place for investors and developers to base their projects.
“We have a strong tradition in our region of public and private sector collaboration, and it pays off.”
Invest North East England will be joined at the event by property developers Broadoak Asset Management, Carillion-Arlington, Citrus Durham, Hanro Group and Siglion, law firm Ward Hadaway, and representatives from the region’s local authorities.
Neil Robson, Partner and Head of Property at Ward Hadaway who will be attending with fellow Property Partners Lesley Fairclough and Alex Cox, said: “North East England has a lot to shout about when it comes to the property sector and we are very proud to be able to add our voice to this at MIPIM UK.
“We work with a wide range of private and public sector clients in helping to deliver developments across the region so we recognise this is an excellent opportunity to spread the word about the North East’s capabilities to a national and international audience.”
North East sites being highlighted to potential investors include the Milburngate development in Durham, Newcastle’s Quorum Business Park, projects in Gateshead, Northumberland and North Tyneside, plus South Tyneside and Sunderland’s International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) project.
Speakers from companies including Legal & General and Marick Real Estate will also talk about why they chose to invest in the North East.
Other investment sites being highlighted at MIPIM include:
• County Durham: Durham City Park and Integra 61
• Gateshead: Gateshead Central and Baltic Business Quarter
• Newcastle: East Pilgrim Street and Newcastle International Airport Business Park
• Northumberland: Energy Central in Blyth, and Wansbeck Business Park
• North Tyneside: Indigo Park and Swans
• South Tyneside: Tyne Dock Enterprise Park and Holborn Riverside Office Quarter.
• Sunderland: Vaux and the Port of Sunderland
More than 5,000 people are expected to attend this year’s MIPIM which provides a marketplace for British and international investors to meet and discuss forthcoming projects and opportunities.
“During the three days, we’ll be hosting a Business Showcase event which will focus on some of the significant property investments and new opportunities here in North East England.
“Our sector strengths coupled with extremely strong support from the region’s public and private sector, means we are particularly well placed to cater to investors and developers interested in advanced manufacturing, life sciences, energy, business services and IT / digital opportunities,” added Guy.
Investors will be invited to discuss opportunities with the regional delegation throughout the event and at a drinks reception where examples of regionally produced drinks will be provided by Poetic License distillery, Fentimans Botanical Brewery, Sunderland’s CBL and Maxim Brewery.
Councillor Paul Watson, Chair of NECA, said: “Inward investment plays an important role in supporting the growth of the North East economy. MIPIM offers an unrivalled opportunity to get in front of leading investors and developers and highlight what we have to offer as a region.
“It’s good to see Invest North East England leading a strong delegation that all focused on the same end goal of more economic growth.”
Invest North East England is the first point of contact for companies looking to invest in the region, and co-ordinates investment enquiries on behalf of the North East local authorities to ensure businesses have access to real-time information. It supports investors with a range of practical relocation support, including advice on availability of land and property, information on the regional economy and workforce, HR support and access to finance.
MIPIM UK is at London’s Olympia from Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 October. Invest North East England will be at stand F30. More details are available on investment opportunities in the North East are available at www.investnortheastengland.co.uk.