Putting Warwickshire on the map at MIPIM

Council and business leaders have been promoting the area at the UK’s leading commercial property show.

MIPIM UK, held in London’s Olympia in October, attracted more than 4,000 investors, developers, agents and business service providers looking to close deals.

The council’s inward investment team joined leading business and property partners from Coventry City Council and Coventry and Warwickshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership at MIPIM to promote the region.

Warwickshire is a major player when it comes to inward investment and last year there were 23 foreign direct investments to the county which created nearly 900 jobs. Added to this, recent UK Trade and Investment figures show the Coventry and Warwickshire region was the most successful area outside London in attracting inward investment.

Sackie Somal, who heads up the Invest in Warwickshire team, said: “We work hard to ensure the conditions and infrastructure are right for a vibrant local economy and it’s important that people understand why this area is such a great place to do business.

She added: “The volume and breadth of interest at MIPIM was extremely encouraging and our priority is to convert this interest into job creation and growth.”

Les Ratcliffe, chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Place Board which helps promote the area, added: “People are aware that we have a very good offer and that we are achieving very tangible results. That is down to the work of the CWLEP and the local authorities – the private and public sectors working together – in presenting a positive and coherent message that this is a place where you can do business.

 “A string of high level announcements, the success of several of our key companies and the accolades recently won by our two universities add up to a very clear picture of an area with massive potential.”

Universities, Science and Cities minister Greg Clark visited the stand to see the Coventry and Warwickshire offer just weeks after signing off a Government Growth Deal which could lead to around £100 million of investment.