Bond getting stronger, say city chiefs
At a panel event at East Midlands Airport, representatives from the cities talked about working collaboratively both in the UK and at MIPIM to raise the profile of the Po3 to investors and developers from across the globe.
John Forkin of Marketing Derby, Lorraine Baggs of Invest in Nottingham and Helen Donnellan from the inward investment team at Leicester City Council were on a panel alongside Andy Cliffe, managing director of East Midlands Airport.
They were speaking to more than 120 business people from across the region at an event to highlight their continued collaboration.
John Forkin said: “We are changing the perception of the area. Outside of the region and outside of the UK, there is often a profile and perception challenge. We are making a change. We are going to MIPIM as a collective with a shared narrative for the three cities around East Midlands Airport.”
Andy Cliffe said the East Midlands is the UK’s fastest growing regional economy and has seen significant investment in infrastructure – with HS2 coming to the region offering high speed connectivity. There are global brands which are headquartered here – with a number of hi-tech industries and a highly skilled workforce, he said.
Lorraine Baggs said: “We are in an enviable position in the UK. We have invested heavily in our regional infrastructure and the way we market ourselves to the outside world. We have displayed that we are an excellent location for investment with a real return on investment in development capability.”
The panel discussed the growing profile of Midlands Engine and how the Po3 slotted into this initiative which sees the collaboration of the East and West Midlands.
Helen Donnellan: “We know that London is overheating. Investors are looking elsewhere for opportunities and the East Midlands, is perfectly poised to attract further investment – and Derby, Nottingham, and Leicester have those world class opportunities.
“We have the skilled workforce – we have excellent transport to London and mainland Europe, and we are three cities in very close proximity. This gives us a real unique selling point.”
Baggs added: “Furthermore, the strength of our three universities across our area are names on the international stage. Businesses are looking to move out of London, but then it is important for them to get back to London in the quickest possible time. This gives us a real edge.
“A key message for investors is that the Po3 can really deliver. We need to get that message across – the workforce is here; the development sites are here – and we are connected nationally and internationally.”
Po3’s aim is to attract global markets at MIPIM – particularly USA, China and India.
“We have the synergy, we know that our area has the sites and the opportunities,” saidForkin.” He added: “The greater benefit is that we can tackle larger markets together. We can use our collaborative approach – and apply economies of scale.”
Cliffe added: “We operate across several sectors – such as life sciences in Nottingham through to advanced manufacturing across Derby. Leicester is seeing massive investment into its Infrastructure. We have huge global brands in the East Midlands which puts us on the international stage.
“We not only attract the big businesses though, we are seeing a high number of start ups. The East Midlands is an exciting region full of opportunity.”
