A multibillion-pound pipeline of North East development projects is set to take to the international stage next month.
Invest Newcastle, part of NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), is leading a public-private delegation from Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland to showcase the region at Mipim, the world’s biggest real estate conference taking place over three days in Cannes, France.
Mipim takes place over three days, from March 11 to March 14, and will see the North East stage a number of events in a programme devised to shine a light on investment opportunities including Forth Yards in Newcastle, Baltic Quarter in Gateshead and Riverside Sunderland, as well as exploring topics such as creative industries, foreign direct investment and sports-led regeneration.
For the first time, Sunderland City Council has joined the partnership alongside Newcastle and Gateshead, signalling to the market that city partners are working together to attract capital investment. The public sector delegation, which includes the North East Combined Authority, will see representatives from more than 20 businesses attend Mipim.
Companies include Avison Young, which is running its own programme of events on a pavilion adjacent to the Invest Newcastle stand, Ryder Architecture, which is exploring healthy placemaking and social infrastructure, and NCG, which is talking about the role of skills in making cities investable. Meanwhile, Eldon Square will share more details about its £65m investment programme, and Gainford Group is also launching updated plans for its New Bridge project in Newcastle.
The private sector delegation also includes Cundall and Rolton, which will look at how to enable net zero carbon futures and deliver sustainable energy solutions, as well as Tier One Capital, which is representing listed property development company Develop North PLC.
Hanro Group, Aptus Construction, FaulknerBrowns, igloo, Naylors Gavin Black, Newcastle Airport, NE1, OOBE, Todd Milburn, Ward Hadaway and Atkins Realis are also joining the delegation.
Coun Karen Kilgour, Leader, Newcastle City Council, said: “At the heart of Newcastle’s offer to investors is our willingness to work together across the public and private sector to make the process of investing in our region as easy as it can be. We’re incredibly proud of our track record of attracting international investors to Newcastle and the wider city region, helping to increase the range of good-quality of jobs on offer to our communities which helps our residents reach their full potential in life.
“Partnering with our colleagues in Gateshead and Sunderland this year at Mipim demonstrates this collaborative approach and enables us to talk about a scale of opportunity that will appeal to the global investment community.”
Coun Martin Gannon, Leader, Gateshead Council, said: “Gateshead is delighted to be joining the Invest Newcastle delegation to Mipim this year at a time when we are moving forward with a number of major projects across the borough. Attracting investment is crucial to securing a better future for our residents and so we look forward to meeting with potential partners who share our vision for a stronger, more inclusive and prosperous North East.”
Coun Michael Mordey, Leader, Sunderland City Council, said: “There is growing recognition across the Ƶ and the continent that Sunderland is a city where ambition can quickly become reality, as we deliver projects like IAMP and Riverside Sunderland, boost connectivity with new bridges, roads, rail links, port expansion and next generation digital infrastructure. We are supporting the growth of new industries in the cultural and creative sector and have a wealth of incredible sites which are ripe for investment and development.
“By thinking big and delivering on one of the most exciting regeneration blueprints outside of the capital, we are focused on building a sustainable, modern city that is fit for the future. Being part of the regional delegation at Mipim offers us a platform to tell our city’s story to new people, and puts us in the room with the investors and developers who can work with us to keep up the positive momentum.”
