Strength and breadth is fuelling opportunity in ‘overshadowed’ sub-region

Inward investment and the opportunities it creates now and in the future have been highlighted as reasons to be excited about working and living in Coventry and Warwickshire.

The strengths of the sub-region were hailed by a panel of leading business people at a TheBusinessDesk.com seminar held in the city.

While the panel acknowledged the area can feel like it is overshadowed by Birmingham, they were unwavering about the qualities and opportunities that exist.

“For me the most important thing is Coventry’s economy, which is massively strong,” said Coventry Chamber of Commerce branch chairman David Penn.

“The very jaundiced view that Coventry has all of its eggs in one basket – JLR – is plainly wrong. Coventry employs more people within aerospace than in automotive.

“We are a very, very strong city in terms of premium engineering and many other manufacturing areas. We know we are a strong area for logistics and distribution.”

Wasps chief executive David Armstrong also highlighted the strong businesses that, like his, are choosing to locate in this part of the West Midlands.

He said: “I love the influx of major businesses coming to the area, perhaps connected to the growth of JLR – but the arrival of the new Amazon facility, the arrival of Sainsbury’s and other businesses into the area is a very, very positive thing.

“In terms of inflow, alongside Birmingham with HSBC, it is probably the most attractive area in the country for that right now.”

This activity and investment is helping to drive opportunity, creating momentum.

“I love the opportunity,” said Nick Button, partner at Band Hatton Button

“Technology industries are starting to come in to Coventry and regenerating the city. There are great investment opportunities in Coventry.

“I can see there’s a great deal going on. That’s brought about by Jaguar Land Rover, in part, and by the two great universities, both of whom are concentrating on technology.”

Kirsti Lord, acting principal of City College Coventry, added: “In terms of regeneration, the investment in regeneration in this city and the opportunities that come with that for our young people.

“I have seen it in other cities and it brings exciting job and training opportunities for our young people.”

Nick Abell, vice-chairman of Coventry and Warwickshire LEP, believes the sub-region is well-positioned to be attractive to business.

He said: “I was asked a few weeks ago what this sub-region can offer to businesses relocating, particularly the advanced manufacturing sector, and somebody said “‘why would you relocate your business to Coventry and Warwickshire?’ and I just looked at them and said ‘well, why wouldn’t you?’.

“We are dead easy to get to – we are also dead easy to get from and go through, which is perhaps our achilles heel.

“But you have got everything you could want. You have a ready-made workforce, a wonderful place to live and a great place to entertain the people coming to do business with you.”