Leeds City Region's success on the international stage at MIPIM 2019

3 April 2019

A 100-strong delegation of public and private sector representatives from across Leeds City Region attended MIPIM earlier this month to showcase opportunities and encourage international investors, developers and occupiers to invest in the region.

MIPIM - the annual property investment conference - attracted over 26,000 delegates this year from 100 countries. Led by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (the LEP), the City Region's presence saw the largest group of public and private sector partners to date come together to position the region on a global stage, using the opportunity to get in front of the most influential players from all sectors of the international property industry.

Awards

Leeds City Region projects brought home two international awards from MIPIM this year - a first. Fallons, a Leeds City Region MIPIM sponsor beat off stiff competition from China and the United States to win Best Futura Mega Project at the MIPIM Awards for their Future Parks project. The City Region team was also recognised, winning the fDi Strategy Award for their work on Burberry inward investment project.

Highlights from the ambitious programme of 18 seminars and events showcasing the region across the three days included a panel session where European cities shared their perspectives on development. Civic leaders and developers from Lille, Dortmund and Leeds exploring the significant impact that master planning has on economic development in cities and regions across the continent.

Clean growth and sustainable development also featured on the agenda for the Leeds City Region delegation with a panel session exploring the role of the property in driving clean growth and the huge strides the city region is taking in its ambition to become a zero carbon energy economy.

High-profile announcements

The week also saw a number of high-profile announcements.

Bradford Council unveiled plans for their Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) Growth Strategy, setting out the economic and social opportunity of bringing Northern Powerhouse Rail to Bradford city centre.

Leeds City Council announced a new multi-million-pound development on the former site of the International Pool on Lisbon Street. Leeds has now reached a key milestone in its investment pipeline with this announcement, as it is now halfway towards reaching its £10 billion investment programme.

Harrogate Council attended MIPIM for the first time this year and successfully shared plans for district's future with a global audience if investors and developers.

Kirklees unveiled SKA Development's plans to transform the waterfront quarter in Huddersfield, which will comprise of a mixed use development creating a vibrant urban community.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, which co-ordinates the City Region's presence at MIPIM said: "This year we used MIPIM, arguably one of the most important international economic development conferences, to showcase the scale of development progress and profile future investment opportunities in Leeds City Region to investors, developers and occupiers from around the world."

"Our ambitious programme which included over 18 different events, focused on profile raising activities, sharing the confidence and ambition of the Leeds City Region underlined by the scale of opportunities available within the UK's largest city region economy outside of London."

"With a dynamic economy, vibrant urban hubs and outstanding standard of living, Leeds City Region is not just best for business but best for lifestyle and for talent. We took this message to an international audience at MIPIM 2019 and invited them to be part of our success."

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority said: "It's no coincidence that as a region we are attracting more foreign direct investment than ever before. We've worked hard to promote the region and all the opportunities that exist here."

"At MIPIM this year Bradford launched its bold Northern Powerhouse Rail growth strategy which sets out the ambition to transform the economy and better connect the UK's youngest city to the opportunities of the future."

"We had the opportunity to showcase the many opportunities that the Leeds City Region has in terms of investment. MIPIM is a great platform to promote ourselves to a global audience."

Judith Blake CBE, Leader of Leeds City Council said: "MIPIM 2019 was a fantastic opportunity to show how Leeds is a leading example of driving inclusive growth that is benefiting people from all communities."

"A stand out moment for us was announcing the former international pool site on Lisbon Street coming to market. It occupies a prime position among many of the city's top financial, legal and professional services businesses and is a great opportunity for developers to bring forward proposals for both Grade A office space and commercial use. It was the opportune moment to launch this at one of the world's largest property conferences."

James Mottram, Director of award winning developer Fallons and MIPIM 2019 sponsor said: "Attending MIPIM and supporting the Leeds City Region delegation on the international stage is a key event in our calendar and one we found huge value in attending."

"We are very proud of our award for Best Futura Mega Project for our Future Parks project and the global recognition this brings to Fallons, Harrogate and the wider City Region."

"Future Parks, an interactive cultural theme park based on food and agriculture and will be the first of its kind in the UK. Creating 1,000 jobs and bringing an estimated 3.5million visitors each year to Harrogate, we are excited to be bringing this award winning scheme to the region."