Coventry & Warwickshire leaders pledge to maintain inward investment success

BUSINESS and property figures from Coventry and Warwickshire are to redouble their efforts to ensure the area retains its strong record for attracting inward investment.

Figures released by UK Trade and Investment show Coventry and Warwickshire is the most successful area outside London in attracting inward investment.

The business leaders applied their strategy at the MIPIM UK exhibition in London. The event was the first domestic version of the world’s foremost commercial property show, which is held in France every spring.

Les Ratcliffe, chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Place Board which helps promote the area, said its reputation for recent success had clearly been broadcast.

“Not only was the footfall very strong and varied at the show, but there is no question that our positive reputation now goes before us,” he said.

“Property and investment are tight knit industries and the evidence is that the success we have achieved in recent years – both economically and in terms of attracting new investment – has spread throughout those two sectors.

“People are aware that we have a very good offer and that we are achieving very tangible results. That is down to the work of the Coventry & Warwickshire LEP and the local authorities in presenting a positive and coherent message that this is a place where you can do business.”

Cities Minister Greg Clark was one of the visitors to the area’s stand.

Cllr Kevin Maton, Coventry’s cabinet member for Business, Enterprise and Employment and a LEP board member, said: “We were able to highlight the dynamism and drive of Coventry and Warwickshire and the level of investment already taking place. Many other leading development areas of the UK were represented and it was important that we were flying the flag for our region.”