Nottingham, Leicester and Derby will come together at MIPIM UK, the country’s largest property exhibition and conference for national and international property professionals.
The collaboration is called the Power of 3 and it was launched in MIPIM in Cannes earlier this year with the aim of putting the spotlight on the East Midlands and its huge potential for investors and developers.
Representatives from Nottingham, Leicester and Derby city councils and regional inward investment leaders will come together in London this week (21-23 Oct) at MIPIM UK to highlight the massive potential of the East Midlands economy.
At MIPIM UK, on Wednesday 21 October, there will be Power of 3 events which will feature representatives from each city. These events include two business showcases featuring the three cities. The first is on the topic of Igniting the Midlands Engine and panellists include Liz Fothergill, president of the East Midlands Chamber, David Williams – chairman of Geldards LLP and Adam Challis who is head of UK residential research for agents JLL. The showcase will be chaired by John Forkin, MD of Marketing Derby.
Panellists at the second showcase called Investing in the Midlands Engine include Andrew Carter, deputy chief executive, Centre for Cities;, Jackie Sadek of UK Regeneration who is an adviser to secretary of state Greg Clark, Matthew Smith, lead director at JLL – Nottingham.with Andy Cliffe, MD of East Midlands Airport, in the chair.
The Power of 3 events at MIPIM UK are expected to attract national and international investors looking for opportunities in the UK.
Andy Cliffe said: “We are looking forward to showcasing the three cities to show how they are pulling together as one. East Midlands Airport is a uniting part of this collaboration. The airport plays a vital part in the growth of the region as a gateway to domestic and international markets for enterprise, catalysing opportunity and offering a powerful conduit to a vibrant talent pool.”
MIPIM UK is the UK’s largest exhibition and conference for property professionals. It provides a market place for UK players and international investors to meet, discuss projects and opportunities and do business.
Martin Rawson, deputy leader of Derby City Council who will be leading Derby’s delegation at MIPIM UK, said: “The East Midlands is not only seeing massive export growth, but also a fall in unemployment and has been recognised as one of the top ten regions for potential in the start-up sector.
“The East Midlands region is expected to continue outperforming the UK average for GVA performance, with all three cities already in the top 20 UK cities for GVA per head.”
“Our region has received a great deal of interest and focus in 2015. We are three ambitious cities each with our own identity – each with our own success story, culture of innovation and geographical connectivity.”
It’s well known that investors are increasingly looking outside London for value and opportunity – and the East Midlands is making the most of this, said Councillor Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council.
“The three cities of Nottingham, Leicester and Derby – along with East Midlands Airport – are working together at MIPIM UK to showcase our regional offer – and how Derby, Nottingham and Leicester are working together,” he said.
“At MIPIM UK 2015, we will be joining with our counterparts to showcase our regional offer – and how Derby, Nottingham and Leicester are working together.”
Helen Donnellan, head of inward investment at Leicester City Council, said: “We are delighted to be part of the events which we know will bring in lots of opportunities. We will look forward to working with investors and developers who are interested in our region.”
The Power of 3 events will celebrate the collaboration of the three cities and the event will focus on the strength of the region and its strong proposition – not only in terms of its enterprise zones, and what it has to offer, but also the region’s willingness to work together.
Coun Collins added: “We want to bring more growth and opportunity to the East Midlands. There will be involvement of the Local Enterprise Partnerships in this collaboration – the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and D2N2. East Midlands Airport is involved to highlight the region’s combined offer of skilled workers and location – across manufacturing, distribution, logistics, M1 corridor and enterprise zones.”
As well as the two business showcases, there will be an invitation-only Power of 3 Networking Reception for a number of high profile respresentatives.
