Leeds City Region is showcasing success at global conference

Leeds City Region is showcasing success at global conference

15 February 2019

Leeds City Region's extensive programme of activity for international property conference MIPIM has been released today.

With 18 sessions over the three-day event - bringing together high-level speakers from across the public and private sector, the city region's plans for MIPIM 2019 promise to grab the attention of the global audience of investors and developers attracted to the event each year.

 

Destination for investment

Developed in conjunction with local authorities and a 100-strong private sector delegation, the ambitious programme will showcase the region's successes as a leading destination for investment and the opportunities that exist. Highlights from the programme include a Northern Powerhouse panel session featuring Leeds City Region alongside partners from the North West, the North East and Sheffield City Region focusing on powerful partnerships and collaboration in the North.

In addition, the programme also includes panel sessions on topics including:

  • Shaping cities in a urban age, where European partners from Lille, France and Dortmund, Germany will share experience and expertise;

  • The role of the property sector in driving clean growth in Leeds City Region;

  • Developing the future city and how to technology can make our towns and cities more productive;

  • We Are The Spark, a spotlight on the creative and digital sector in driving investment.

 

Vibrant and diverse

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford City Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, who is attending the conference, said: "The Leeds City Region presence at MIPIM acts as a major platform to raise the profile of Bradford and the cities and towns that make up our vibrant and diverse City Region."

"We will also be showcasing our investment into our significant talent pipeline, underpinned by outstanding educational partnerships. We have the youngest population and highest concentration of Higher Education institutions outside of London, producing 18,000 science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) graduates annually, and we're a net importer of graduates, retaining more than we lose.

"MIPIM gives us a unique opportunity to attract investment and showcase development opportunities in Bradford and from across the region and take our message to a truly international audience."

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, which co-ordinates the City Region's presence at MIPIM, said: "This year we will use MIPIM, arguably one of the most important international economic development conferences, as a springboard to invite the world to discover the huge opportunities in Leeds City Region. It is with thanks to our private sector partners and sponsors that we are able to attend this conference and showcase our successes."

"With the biggest economy in the Northern Powerhouse contributing £69.6 billion GVA to the national economy, the region has the highest rate of private sector jobs growth in the UK and is transforming to a knowledge-based economy faster than other UK cities."

"I am looking forward to joining civic leaders and private sector partners to promote the region to ensure that we are viewed internationally as a location which is already delivering returns for the businesses that have invested here. And one that is proactively working to grow the economy for the benefit of all who live and work here."

 

Flying the flag

CEG a long-time sponsor of Leeds City Region's MIPIM attendance, added: "We are very pleased to be at MIPIM again this year, flying the flag for Leeds City Region and all the great things happening there. One of these is CEG's six-acre development in the heart of Leeds South Bank, where work started on the £350 million development last week."

"CEG is already marketing its South Bank development and we've already had a great deal of interest from companies seeking headquarter office space just minutes from Leeds City Station."

"The scheme is expected to act as the catalyst to kick-start the regeneration of an area of the city which for many years has seen planning permissions granted but not built on and will put the South Bank Leeds on the map as a place to live, work and enjoy."

 

Unveiling plans

Zeb Pervaiz, Director of SKA Developments said: "It is great to be supporting the Leeds City Region MIPIM 2019 delegation this year and showcasing all the City Region has to offer. SKA Developments will be unveiling exiting plans to transform the Greater Waterfront Quarter in Huddersfield, in what will be one of the most significant regeneration schemes in Kirklees in a generation."

"The brownfield site is set to be converted into a waterfront community, incorporating mixed use developments, including residential, student accommodation, retail and business. With a rich and varied heritage in the textile trade and property development, SKA has outlined its vision for a unique development, which is set to reimagine the former industrial zone around the canal and River Colne."

 

Largest delegation to date

Support for the Leeds City Region's attendance at MIPIM 2019 has continued to grow over recent months and the region's private sector delegation is now the largest to date. Sponsors include Addleshaw Goddard, AHR Architects Ltd, BCEGI (UK), Bruntwood Ltd, Caddick Developments Ltd, Carter Jonas, CEG, Citu, Deloitte Engie Regeneration, Extra MSA, Fuse, Harworth Estates, Henry Boot, High Grove, Huddersfield Town FC, Irwin Mitchell, Leeds Bradford Airport, MEPC, Mott Macdonald, Munroe K, Muse, Ove Arup & Partners Ltd, Parklane Group, Pegasus Planning Group, Quod, SKA Developments, Squire Patton Boggs, Shulmans LLP, Scarborough Group International, Sweco, Town Centre Securities, Universities of Bradford, Huddersfield and Leeds, Walker Morris, Womble Bond Dickinson and Yeme Architects.