MIDAS toasts 3,600 jobs record

MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency created more than 3,600 jobs last year – a new record – and says despite continuing concerns over the world economy and tough public spending cuts at home – its future pipeline is strong.

Chairman Michael Oglesby said he was “delighted” with the job creation figures and paid tribute to his team and the strength of the Manchester “offer”.

As well as new jobs, the agency was able to safeguard a further 1,350 positions. The total number of successful projects rose in the year to 94, up from 83 last year.

Mr Oglesby said while he was concerned about the impact on the business community of public sector cuts, he doesn’t expect the axe to fall on MIDAS’ budget.

“Our funding is not ring-fenced, we do rely heavily on public funding, but if this region is to continue to move forward and thrive we have to create new jobs and attract new investment.

“I believe politicians of all colours understand that you cut back on this sort of expenditure at your peril.”

Asked if the problems in the Eurozone would impact on Greater Manchester’s prospects of inward investment, he said: “The situation in Europe is clearly very serious at the moment. However I believe that notwithstanding all the problems that a political solution will be found to overcome these issues.

“Having said that if things did go very wrong in Europe it has a knock-one effect in the UK as it is our major trading partner.”

New inward investment successes that MIDAS has helped to attract include John Lewis, Sky, UK Data Capture, Societe Generale and SPX – a US-based multi-industry manufacturing group with operations worldwide.

Mr Oglesby added: “No one is expecting the coming year to be an easy one and the need for Manchester’s voice to be heard worldwide whenever jobs and relocation are being considered has never been greater.

“We are, however, optimistic and there are positive signs for us to attract yet more jobs and investment in the coming year.”

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the North West Development Agency, which partly funds MIDAS, said of the figures: “We hope this gives us a good indication to the UKTI Foreign Direct Investment statistics which come out in July.

“The NWDA and MIDAS have worked hard on a number of projects in the past year, such as UK Data Capture, which have really helped drive the numbers to a record level.”

Mr Oglesby paid tribute to the work of out-going chief executive Colin Sinclair – who is joining Bruntwood – the commercial property company he founded – and said he was pleased to have secured a high quality replacement in Angie Robinson, who is joining from Greater Manchester Chamber.

“She is extremely well connected within the region and a strong track record of working with the public and private sector and I believe she’s an ideal replacement for Colin.

“She absolutely hits the ground running and I believe she gives us great continuity. It’s great for the region that we have secured her services.”