Team Lincolnshire has more than doubled in size as firms clamour to be part of the public-private sector contingent led by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) to promote the area at international property event, MIPIM.
The team has experienced rapid growth – having nine members in 2015 to an impressive 22 members ready to take on MIPIM this year which takes place on the 15 – 18 March in Cannes. The incredible growth is testament to Lincolnshire’s buoyant property and construction industry and the investment opportunities available.
This will be the third year the GLLEP has facilitated a team at MIPIM with the sole purpose of showcasing Greater Lincolnshire and encouraging investment into the area within a number of sectors including business park developments, food enterprise zones, housing-led urban extensions and leisure and retails projects.
Ruth Carver, GLLEP manager, said: “MIPIM provides a major opportunity for Greater Lincolnshire to build our economic growth. I’m overwhelmed with the commitment we have had from such an impressive line-up of businesses wanting to be part of Team Lincolnshire. It makes perfect sense for the GLLEP and a strong team of private sector partners to work together to showcase what Greater Lincolnshire has to offer compared to other cities.
“We had an incredibly successful MIPIM last year – building awareness of how commercially sound our area is. I believe this has been integral to attracting more businesses who want to work collaboratively with us to promote Greater Lincolnshire as a great place to live, work and invest in.
“We have many selling points but the key one for our area is space, something that’s lacking in other areas of the UK, especially in the south. Greater Lincolnshire offers space and affordable land values, making it the ideal area for businesses to set up and expand in.”
MIPIM, which attracts thousands of investors and developers from across the globe, is an opportunity to sell Greater Lincolnshire from a level playing field amongst not just UK and European cities, but also international ones.
Alongside the GLLEP, the 21 private sector firms based in Lincolnshire and beyond include Lincolnshire based Pygott & Crone, Delta Simons, Lindum Group, Jackson & Jackson and Simons Group. Those from outside the area include Willmott Dixon, Gleeds, Morgan Tucker, William Saunders, Couch Perry Wilkes and Building Design Services.
Lincolnshire-based Tim Downing, senior partner at agent Pygott & Crone said: I’ve been attending MIPIM for 18 years and continue to see great value in our attendance. It’s a very exciting time for Greater Lincolnshire and I, along with the rest of the team, will be making the most of the opportunities while at MIPIM, ensuring I’m speaking to decision makers to encourage investment into the area.”
First time Team Lincolnshire member Anthony Cork, director for the East Midlands at international property and construction consultancy Gleeds, believes Lincolnshire holds a great deal of opportunity, he said: “We’re particularly excited about MIPIM this year. We see Lincolnshire as a hugely untapped market so we’ll be looking for opportunities to drive investment into the area by drawing on our international contacts. We see the event as an opportunity to strengthen local communities and regional economies that we work in like Greater Lincolnshire to secure more investment which leads to a stronger economy.”
Greater Lincolnshire is currently undergoing a huge period of growth and investment. The multi-million pound Growth Deal investment will allow an abundance of opportunities over the coming years. The deal means that there will be over £48m in investment in 2015/16 followed by another £63m from 2016/17 onwards.
Paul Bennett, unit director for the Midlands at Delta Simons, an environmental consultancy, said: “Delta-Simons has attended MIPIM for several years now and find that it’s a great platform to raise the profile of our brand and that of the area on a national and international level. The GLLEP has been huge support to our firm by providing introductions to businesses looking to invest in Lincolnshire, enabling us to work with a broader range of clients and sectors. I’m proud to be working alongside the GLLEP once again to tell the Greater Lincolnshire story.”
Another first time sponsor Mark Noonan, customer relationship director at constructor Simons Group says MIPIM is an opportunity to cement existing relationships and build new ones. He said: “MIPIM gives us the chance to meet with a large number of key associates in one place over a three day period, something that is almost impossible to do in the UK. The event brings together the who’s who in property and construction and is a great chance for us to meet potential clients that would benefit from the services we provide. Not only do we look forward to highlighting all that Simons has to offer but also waving the flag for our home county alongside the GLLEP.”
With the ongoing improvements to the infrastructure of Greater Lincolnshire such as the forthcoming Lincoln East-West road link and proposed £29m transport hub as well as the recent £22m renovation of Lincoln Castle which houses the Magna Carta, Lincoln and Lincolnshire are at a crucial point at reaching huge potential in terms of attracting more investment into the area.
Herman Kok, company secretary at construction firm Lindum Group said: “Lindum has supported the Greater Lincolnshire offer at MIPIM for a number of years. Our area has a proud track record of public-private sector partnership delivery of major capital projects and together we have a great story to tell; Greater Lincolnshire offers attractive living, excellent education, skilled workers in many disciplines and first rate public sector support for inward investment. Lindum Group has been involved in capital construction projects for over 60 years and supported by our dedicated supply chain, we are well placed to offer a one-stop-shop offer for most capital projects.”
Ruth concluded: “MIPIM’s success is down to the way it puts investors and developers in touch with local authorities. Greater Lincolnshire offers a wealth of investment opportunities with land values the most affordable in the area and it is essential that we have a strong team at MIPIM to showcase our area and be heard amongst many other UK and international cities looking to secure that same pool of investment.”
The full list of Team Lincolnshire firms are Pygott & Crone, Delta Simons, Gleeds, Simons Group, Morgan Tucker, Lindum Group, Willmott Dixon, Jackson & Jackson, William Saunders, Building Design Services, BSP, LK2, cpmg, Couch Perry Wilkes, Stirlin, Globe Consultants, Core Architects, Taylor Lindsey, Bond Bryan, Dynamic Lincoln and The University of Lincoln as a partner.
