The University of Wolverhampton is showcasing its £100 million Springfield regeneration project at MIPIM – the annual international property convention held in Cannes.
A delegation of Midlands Engine private and public sector partners – one of the largest of its kind to represent the UK this year – have joined forces to put the Midlands on the map at the four day event which started on 14th March.
The site of the former Springfield brewery in Wolverhampton has been transformed into Europe’s largest specialist construction and built environment campus, bringing together businesses and the education sector to maximise impact on the economy.
Since its purchase in 2014, the former derelict site is the home of the West Midlands Construction University Technical College with plans in place to build a School of Architecture and Built Environment and an Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills, providing a skills pathway for construction education and training from the age of 14 through to senior professionals.
Professor Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “The £100 million development, part of ‘Our Vision – Your Opportunity’ strategy to invest £250 million in the region over five years, is acting as the catalyst for economic and social regeneration – tailored to creating jobs and delivering the technical and professional experts required by industry.
“MIPIM is one of the most important real estate shows in the annual property calendar and offers the University an ideal platform to talk directly to investors, developers and financial institutions about the potential benefits of investing in our ambitious regeneration project in Wolverhampton.”
Professor Layer took part in a panel discussion as part of Midlands Enterprise Universities, outlining the services universities offer to inward investors.