SUBSCRIBE TO RSS THURSDAY 16th FEBRUARY 2012

Business Birmingham to showcase city's environment for growth at MIPIM

City’s property leaders joins forces for world’s largest developer conference

Birmingham will outline how it is creating the physical and economic environment needed to attract investment despite current fiscal challenges, as part of its comprehensive events schedule at MIPIM 2012 (6 – 9 March, Cannes, France). 

Business Birmingham, the city’s inward investment programme operated by Marketing Birmingham, is managing the city’s presence that will be supported by a delegation drawn from across the public and private sectors – which includes 18 of the city’s leading companies. 

Mike Whitby, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: 

In these economically challenging times, cities are competing for investment more fiercely than ever before. By truly understanding the pressures on investors and what they need to achieve a competitive return on their investment, Birmingham is attracting attention."           

From major public/private sector collaboration on regeneration projects, such as Icknield Port Loop and the clarity of the city’s development pipeline through the Big City Plan; to the creation of industry clusters and support for entrepreneurs through the city centre Enterprise Zone, Birmingham can demonstrate its commitment to creating the physical and economic environment needed for long term, sustainable growth.”                                                       

The city’s events programme involves 14 events and nearly 20 speakers across the four-day property show. A number of private sector partners are participating in the programme, designed to engage developers and companies looking to invest in the city. 

Events range from discussions of Birmingham’s innovative city centre based Enterprise Zone and the regeneration it is expected to unlock; to the impact of the approved high speed rail link to the capital and Airport runway extension – which will boost Birmingham’s credentials as a location for European headquarters. Analyses of the city’s regeneration agenda, including developments such as Paradise Circus, will be complemented by an in-depth look at Birmingham’s growing visitor economy and its success in attracting major new hotel developments to the area. 

Cllr Whitby added: 

The event programme has been designed to give potential investors an insight into the vision, developments and plans that are fuelling Birmingham’s growing profile as an international business destination."      

 There is a formidable amount of activity happening in Birmingham right now to excite and attract investors; the most ambitious multi-billion pound package of transport investment the city has ever seen, the creation of Europe’s largest public library, and the UK’s only major City Centre Enterprise Zone – which is driving forward some of the country’s most exciting regeneration schemes.”                                                                                                                         

Global investors are recognising Birmingham’s offer. In 2011, Birmingham attracted the most FDI by value of any UK regional city, while the latest Mercer Quality of Living global survey highlighted the city as the most attractive UK regional city for quality of life. 

Nick Payne, Managing Director, Nikal, said: 

Birmingham has a strong story to tell. Despite the economic climate by 2015 the city will have a £600 million redeveloped transport hub in New Street station, a £65 million runway extension at Birmingham Airport, the largest public library in the UK and will be nearing construction of a high speed rail link to the capital – which will bring us closer to our continental and international neighbours."

Our message at MIPIM is clearly that there is much going on in Birmingham, and this is reflected in our Masshouse development. With 340 residential units now complete and planning consent in place for a further 600,000 sq ft of office accommodation, Birmingham’s new Magistrates Court, and up to 200 hotel rooms, Masshouse truly represents the city’s appetite for renewed growth and confidence."

With the partnership of the city’s public and private sectors, the support structure is in place for investors to come and be a part of the next stage in Birmingham’s continued evolution.”                                                                                                                                               

Following the success of the city’s public/private collaborative presence at last year’s event, 18 private sector partners are joining Business Birmingham to promote the city at MIPIM, which offers a rare opportunity to engage senior influencers from the global investment and developer community. 

In 2011, Birmingham showcased its lead on sustainable city planning and green building developments, highlighting its expertise in delivering high quality low carbon schemes cost effectively. This focus capitalised on the industry’s growing concern with the green agenda and helped the city engage more than 900 potential investors, with many developing into strong investment leads, and achieve £500,000 worth of positive media coverage for the city – building its profile as an investment location. 

The partners supporting Birmingham’s MIPIM presence in 2012 include: Argent, Nikal, Birmingham Airport, Centro, Bruntwood, Carillion, Drivers Jonas Deloitte, Glenn Howells Architects, GVA, Jaguar Land Rover, Rider Levett Bucknall, Willmott Dixon, Fazeley Studios, British Waterways, Hines & Moorfield and Birmingham City Council.