Mayors heads to USA for international leaders programme
The region’s elected mayors are heading to the USA to promote the region on an international stage.
South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard and West Yorkshire’s mayor Tracy Brabin will be working with 40 other mayors from around the world, as part of a prestigious programme for leaders run by Bloomberg and Harvard University.
Coppard said: “South Yorkshire deserves to be shouted about on an international stage and I can’t wait to show the world what we’re capable of.
“We are home to world-class universities, an advanced aerospace cluster and businesses working at the cutting edge of manufacturing and low carbon technology, and I will use this opportunity to highlight our successes, placing South Yorkshire at the heart of any future expansion plans.
“We have unending talent and limitless potential, we’re the ideal place to invest in, and I’ll make that case to future partners in the United States.”
The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative works with 40 mayors from around the world each year, bringing them together to strengthen their capabilities and discuss responses to shared issues like the ongoing pandemic and the climate crisis.
Brabin who is the first female metro mayor in the UK tweeted about her involved in the programme noting it was “an honour” to meet Rohey Malick Lowe, the first female elected mayor in Gambia.
Speaking further about the programme Coppard said it “offers unrivalled opportunities for us here in South Yorkshire to build relationships, share information and learn from other regions across the globe.”
While in New York Coppard, who was elected earlier this year, will also hold a series of meetings with businesses and investors to strengthen ties with the US for trade and investment opportunities for South Yorkshire.
Professor Koen Lamberts, president & vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield said, ‘We are very pleased to see South Yorkshire’s Mayor represent our region internationally. The USA remains an important strategic partner for the University in terms of R&D, academic partnerships and student recruitment and exchange.”
