Invest in Bristol and Bath, a brand new investment service for the West of England, is being launched on 12 March at MIPIM, spearheading a determined approach to city marketing and inward investment.
The West of England presence is led by Colin Skellett, Chairman of the West of England LEP, George Ferguson, Bristol’s newly elected Mayor, Cllr Paul Crossley, leader Bath and North East Somerset Council, Amanda Deeks, Chief Executive South Gloucestershire Council and Simon Gregory, Economic Development Service Manager, North Somerset Council.
The new service, created by the West of England LEP, is being supported by one of the strongest private sector delegations seen at the leading international property show, MIPIM, in recent years. This includes Prof Joe McGeehan, Chair Investment & Promotion, West of England LEP, Nick Sturge, Director, SETsquared and Paul Appleby, chair, Bristol Media.
George Ferguson said: “We see MIPIM as a great opportunity to show international investors how Bristol and Bath is the most attractive UK location for new business and industry. This is why we’re chosen the event to officially launch our Invest in Bristol and Bath service.
“Our clear message is that we’re open for business with a wealth of attractive development opportunities to meet the needs of any investor at any scale, including city centre offices in prime location, industrial space and world-class R & D facilities.”
A number of regional firms are also providing sponsorship to make the Invest in Bristol and Bath presence possible. These include Arup, Bristol & Bath Property Agents, Bristol Port Company, Burges Salmon, Curo Group, GVA, Land Securities, Prupim, Quintaine and Willmott Dixon.
The Invest in Bristol and Bath stand at MIPIM is set to provide a spectacular backdrop for the launch. Reflecting the ‘blank canvas’ and new start that the launch of the new service represents, a dramatic blank white stand will appear at the beginning of the show.
During the course of MIPIM artists will create a stunning, constantly evolving design on the stand, reflecting the creativity and wealth of opportunities and high growth business sectors that this region boasts.
Colin Skellett, Chairman of the West of England LEP said: “This marketing drive is anchored by Bristol and Bath, two of Europe’s most admired cities, with superb transport links.
“Together these two cities offer flourishing high growth industries and an unrivalled quality of life and cultural appeal, which are reflected in their attracting and retaining a highly skilled workforce and the brightest graduates.
“But it’s not just a tale of two cities. Behind Bristol and Bath there is a rich, well connected hinterland, vaunting world-beating aerospace, advanced engineering, micro engineering, creative industries, environmental technologies and services as well as scope for logistics and distribution facilities.”
The West of England LEP – ranked number one in a recent Financial Times survey of the best rated LEPs in the country – has undertaken research into international investment agencies.
Colin Skellett said: “Invest in Bristol and Bath has been designed for today and the decades ahead. It is shaped to provide an exemplary, joined up approach, providing investors with a new level of guidance and support.”
Prof Joe McGeehan, Chair, Investment and Promotion, West of England LEP said: “In telecoms people talk in terms of super connected networks. We have super connected cities and towns. People work, live and enjoy their leisure time across this region. There are no boundaries. It’s all connected.”
