Invest Newcastle continues to work alongside Newcastle City Council and private-sector businesses to tap into global investors. Recent activity includes Newcastle City Council leader, Nick Forbes, leading a pitch to senior investors and regeneration specialists from across the globe at 10 Downing Street, Invest Newcastle hosting a round-table event, alongside Atkins Global, to discuss the opportunities with Chinese investors, and Newcastle shining a light on investment opportunities as part of the North East delegation at MIPIM UK.
Newcastle was one of three UK cities selected to pitch at a prestigious event held at 10 Downing Street on Friday 21 October. Leader of Newcastle City Council Nick Forbes led the pitch joined by Tom Warburton, Director of Investment & Development at Newcastle City Council and Ian Baggett, Founder CEO of Adderstone Group. Core cities Glasgow and Sheffield were also selected to present investment propositions.
Downing Street was a fitting venue for the invited guests who were in London for property investment show MIPIM UK, where Newcastle was also promoted the city’s investment opportunities as part of the North East England delegation.
As one of the fastest growing tech sectors in the England with a wealth of talent, investors heard what makes Newcastle a compelling place to invest in, as Cllr Forbes described how growth and prosperity should be shared by all, which is at the heart of Newcastle’s unique selling point.
Leader Nick Forbes said: “This was a unique opportunity and we were determined to make a strong case for investment in Newcastle, and showcase the place as well as the people.
“We have much to be proud about as Newcastle’s profile continues to grow, and we must build on that confidence to secure investment, grow our economy and create new jobs for generations to come.
“Our recent £65 million deal with Legal & General on Science Central clearly demonstrates our ability to secure significant investment, and we must build on that success to ensure we have the right conditions and be outward in our outlook for further investment.
“Despite uncertainty in central government, we can offer political stability and show leadership to stimulate investment in our city to create sustainable inclusive growth that everyone can benefit from.
“Newcastle is open for business and I am confident in our city’s future, and that we can be a Great North City.”
The next week Leaders from 22 of Newcastle’s, and the wider North East’s, key companies and business organisations took part in a roundtable debate to discuss Chinese investment in the region.
The aims of the roundtables are to further understand Chinese interest in and its relationship with the North of England, and to explore the key challenges and opportunities to better promote this region to potential foreign investors.
Catherine Walker, inward investment director at Invest Newcastle, a service delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative on behalf of Newcastle to attract and secure new investment and jobs for the city, said: “Newcastle is becoming increasingly attractive to foreign investors. Now is the time to identify a strategic approach, allowing us to secure international private sector investment to launch and accelerate key projects. The roundtable was a fantastic first step in bringing together key businesses and stakeholders in Newcastle, and the wider North East, to deliver a unified message and strong proposition of investment opportunities.
“We’re working to continue this momentum through our attendance at MIPIM 2017 where we will be joined by at least 20 private sector businesses – showcasing to the global property and investor market the opportunities Newcastle has to offer.”