Leeds winning Channel 4 bid was defining moment

The chair of the Leeds City Region Partnership underlined the importance of the Channel 4 victory at MIPIM.

Roger Marsh spoke about the long-term impact of the broadcaster choosing the city for its new headquarters.

He was the main speaker at the Leeds City region’s stand on the first day of the conference in the South of France.

He said: “We are here to promote the city in an international context. We are comparing ourselves to cities like Moscow and Istanbul.

“The city region has the largest economy in the UK outside of London and we need to get that message out to as many people as possible.”

Roger Marsh added: “We said that when we were bidding for Channel 4 it would be a defining moment for the city if we when and that has proved to be the case.

“Interest has never been higher in the city and we have already had five companies relocate here following the announcement.

“We said that Channel 4 would help us unlock the potential of the region and that has certainly been the case.”

Tom Riordan, chief executive of Leeds City Council, added: “Culture in a wider sense is really important to the city region.

“Culture is what makes people want to stay in cities and it makes then want to come to a city in the first place.

“It is a really important part of the identity of a region.”