MIPIM Matters Press Pack 2016

We are proud to be joining with a record number of private sector partners at MIPIM 2016, making Greater Birmingham’s delegation the largest and most diverse ever. By working in partnership with the private sector, we can fully realise Greater Birmingham’s economic potential.

Greater Birmingham will be hosting more events and meetings than in previous years, focusing on the key themes of ‘today’, ‘tomorrow’ and ‘beyond’. We will be showcasing Greater Birmingham’s strengths in areas including its quality of life and housing provision, vast infrastructure networks, and sectors of future growth – from advanced manufacturing to life sciences.

As ever, Greater Birmingham will be catching the attention of the global investment community at this year’s MIPIM. We look forward to welcoming you to our stand: R7.B12

This media pack contains full details of the events, partners and spokespeople involved in Greater Birmingham’s presence at MIPIM 2016. It also features information about:  Greater Birmingham’s success  Key facts and figures  Spokesperson and partner information We can provide journalists with information, images, case studies, videos and statistics about the projects taking place in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull. Interviews and briefings are available on the Greater Birmingham stand with our partners, and the spokespeople leading our delegation this year: • • • •

John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council Andy Street, Chair of Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership Councillor Ian Courts, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Managed Growth Tom Westley, Black Country LEP Board member leading on its Enterprise Zone

Media Contacts Tom Marlow, Senior Communications Executive Tel: 0121 202 5088 / 07984 410 462 tom.marlow@marketingbirmingham.com

Rabia Raza, Communications Executive Tel: 0121 202 5002 rabia.raza@marketingbirmingham.com

Introduction

p. 4

Greater Birmingham key facts

p. 5 - 6

Greater Birmingham’s Growth Agenda

p. 7 - 15

Key developments

p. 14 - 19

Comments from Greater Birmingham’s delegation

p. 20

Key dates

p. 21

Our MIPIM event programme

p. 23 - 29

Our partners

p. 31 - 38

Media resources

p. 39

The Greater Birmingham region is experiencing one of the most exciting periods of regeneration and development in recent times, with numerous further investment opportunities still ahead. World-class schemes, projects and masterplans are set to cement the region’s reputation as the engine of the UK economy.

With a large talented workforce and world-class universities producing widely sought-after graduates, this region is turning ambition into reality. Home to a thriving business community, Greater Birmingham is a leading UK destination for firms ranging from cutting-edge start-ups to international brands. The region continues to attract record investment from across the globe, securing 86 foreign direct investment projects during 2014/15, creating over 5,000 new jobs.

Greater Birmingham offers more than a business case – its quality of life is attracting highly skilled workers and renowned employers from all over the UK and abroad. We welcomed 90 million visitors to the region in 2015 to experience our varied cultural offer, world-famous food scene and headline events.

Almost £1 billion of major developments in Greater Birmingham are now complete and powering the region to compete on a global scale. From the £750 million redevelopment of Birmingham New Street Station and its surrounding Grand Central complex, to the £150 million Resorts World Birmingham and the £40 million runway extension at Birmingham Airport, the region is more connected than ever before, linking directly to key markets including China and the USA.

But there is still lots more to come.

Landmark schemes underway include two high-speed rail stations at Birmingham Curzon and UK Central placing the region at the heart of the UK’s HS2 rail network and Europe’s largest infrastructure project. The next stage in Birmingham city centre's regeneration is now underway with the start of the £500 million Paradise Birmingham development. This will contribute to the 1 million sq ft of office space now under construction across the city centre. In Solihull, a £300 million investment in Junction 6 of the M42 and plans for new Metro connections will further enhance the UK Central Hub. In the Black Country, Wolverhampton is planning to deliver significant investment into its city centre, including £120 million for its Interchange network and a new rail station.

Working in collaboration, Birmingham, The Black Country and Solihull are determined to showcase the vast array of opportunities for investors keen to be part of Greater Birmingham’s growing prominence as a leading destination to live, work and invest in. ~Andy Street, Chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP ~Tom Westley, Black Country LEP lead for the Enterprise Zone

• GREATER BIRMINGHAM HAS THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF BUSINESSES OUTSIDE OF LONDON – HOME TO OVER 112,000 COMPANIES INCLUDING 2,000 INTERNATIONAL FIRMS • BIRMINGHAM IS THE MOST ENTREPRENEURIAL UK CITY OUTSIDE LONDON. 14,152 NEW BUSINESSES WERE REGISTERED IN BIRMINGHAM DURING 2015 – MORE THAN ANY OTHER CITY OUTSIDE THE CAPITAL. (STARTUP BRITAIN ANALYSIS OF COMPANIES HOUSE DATA)

• IN 2014/15, 86 FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI) PROJECTS WERE ATTRACTED TO GREATER BIRMINGHAM • EXPORTS FROM THE WIDER WEST MIDLANDS REGION ARE THE THIRD HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY • BIRMINGHAM IS NUMBER ONE IN THE UK FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PROSPECTS, AND SIXTH IN EUROPE (URBAN LAND INSTITUTE/PWC) • MAJOR EMPLOYERS INVESTING IN THE REGION INCLUDE HSBC, JAGUAR LAND ROVER, MG MOTORS, CHANGAN, GENTING UK, HYDRAFORCE, EXTRAENERGY AND DEUTSCHE BANK • THE REGION IS CAPITALISING ON HS2. THE MIDLANDS HS2 GROWTH STRATEGY WILL DELIVER £14 BILLION GVA

• THERE ARE SIX WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITIES IN GREATER BIRMINGHAM, PRODUCING 32,000 GRADUATES EVERY YEAR • BIRMINGHAM IS THE YOUNGEST MAJOR CITY IN EUROPE, WITH UNDER 25’S ACCOUNTING FOR NEARLY 40% OF ITS POPULATION

• OVER 90% OF THE UK MARKET IS WITHIN A FOUR HOUR TRAVEL TIME OF THE REGION • EUROPE’S LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECT, THE £17 BILLION HIGH SPEED RAIL 2 (HS2) PROJECT, WILL BRING BIRMINGHAM WITHIN 38 MINUTES OF THE CAPITAL • BIRMINGHAM NEW STREET STATION IS THE BUSIEST OUTSIDE LONDON, AND THE BUSIEST INTERCHANGE STATION IN THE UK, WITH A TRAIN LEAVING EVERY 37 SECONDS • THE NEW M54 BUSINESS HUB MOTORWAY JUNCTION NOW DIRECTLY SERVES THE BLACK COUNTRY’S i54 ENTERPRISE ZONE • BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT SERVES 10 MILLION PEOPLE A YEAR TRAVELLING WITH 50 AIRLINES TO 140 DIRECT DESTINATIONS

• BIRMINGHAM HAS THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE OF ANY ENGLISH CITY OUTSIDE OF LONDON (MERCER 2016) • 90 MILLION VISITORS WERE ATTRACTED TO GREATER BIRMINGHAM IN 2015 • SOLIHULL WAS VOTED AS HAVING THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE IN ENGLAND (USWITCH QUALITY OF LIFE INDEX, 2015) • BIRMINGHAM IS THE MOST POPULAR CONFERENCE AND EVENT DESTINATION IN THE UK OUTSIDE LONDON (BMEIS 2015/2016) • BIRMINGHAM IS THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATION FOR LONDONERS RELOCATING FROM THE CAPITAL (ONS 2014) • AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE OF £121,672 COMPARED TO LONDON’S £503,431 (LAND REGISTRY OF ENGLAND & WALES, 2015)

Greater Birmingham has an ambitious growth agenda to meet the needs of its growing population and build a strong and prosperous economy for the future. The following are just some of the key projects central to the delivery of the city’s growth strategy, helping to transform the region’s economic, infrastructural and cultural offer.

Birmingham will be at the heart of the UK’s high speed rail network, providing a once-in-a-century opportunity to radically enhance the city’s national rail connectivity and accelerate its economic growth potential. A brand new city centre HS2 station – Birmingham Curzon - is planned, together with the National College for High Speed Rail, while the city is already home to the national HS2 construction headquarters.

The Birmingham Curzon masterplan sets out the city’s aims for the station, demonstrating how HS2 will maximise the regeneration and development potential of the city centre, with a resultant £1.4 billion economic uplift. The masterplan area covers 141 hectares and comprises over 30 strategic development opportunities within the extended city centre Enterprise Zone. These sites can provide around 4,000 new homes and 600,000 square metres of commercial, leisure and retail floor space, driving forward economic growth linked to the HS2 investment.

A £700 million investment programme has been identified for Curzon to maximise the economic benefits and impact that HS2 will have in the area. This programme will integrate the station into the city centre, lead to the expansion of the Midland Metro network, and provide the necessary infrastructure to unlock key sites, bringing growth and development forward. This will create the conditions to attract investment, businesses and residents to the area.

Birmingham’s £500 million plan to regenerate a 14 hectare site at the heart of its city centre represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a unique destination. It builds on the area’s rich heritage and focus for retail markets.

Based in the city centre, Birmingham Smithfield will capitalise on its location next to the prime shopping area – which attracts over 40 million visitors a year, spending £2 billion on the local economy – and New Street Station, which is used by more than 52 million people a year.

Forming a major urban block, 14 hectares in size, the site provides opportunities for over 300,000 square metres of development and over 1,000 new residential units. It will not only create a destination that transforms the city’s visitor economy, but also delivers an exemplar of sustainable development.

The city’s Midland Metro tram system will be integrated into the site and bring Birmingham Smithfield within minutes of the proposed high speed rail (HS2) terminus at Curzon nearby.

Birmingham is unrecognisable from the city it was in the 1980s. The city has been revitalised through economic restructuring and estate regeneration, as well as considerable investment in infrastructure.

Over the last 5 years we have seen the delivery of significantly improved infrastructure encompassing approximately ÂŁ1.2 billion of public sector investment.

The continued economic restructuring of the city is being supported by the development of six Economic Zones, which provide a sectoral and spatial focus for investment in key growth sectors.

The Economic Zones, supported by a range of incentives such as simplified planning, access to finance, gap funding, business development and tailored recruitment packages, have been created to provide the clustering of economic activity within high quality business environments that are supported by the right infrastructure.

The six zones provide some of the most exciting and biggest development opportunities in the UK.

The Enterprise Zone (EZ), covering 26 sites and 130 hectares in the city centre, is playing a key role in delivering high quality office accommodation for growth in business, financial and professional services as well as supporting digital media and creative industries. Working with the Local Enterprise Partnership, Birmingham has made the most of its City Centre EZ. By focusing on the potential to retain business rates, the city has been able to create an investment fund worth £275 million. This is being used to make the improvements needed to the public realm to attract investors and occupiers, kick-start development by tackling infrastructure limitations, such as the extension of the Metro line into the Colmore Business District, as well as unlocking major schemes such as the redevelopment of Paradise Circus.

About £83 million of EZ funding is being used to support a £500 million Joint Venture between Birmingham City Council and the BT Pension Fund. It will provide 170,000 square metres of new office-led mixed use space, including Grade A offices in up to 10 buildings, a 4* hotel with up to 250 bedrooms, road improvements as well as new public squares and new public streets. This will be a world-class development in the centre of Birmingham and – crucially – it will provide the type of high level flexible modern office space that this growing city needs.

All of this investment has created a major resurgence in the city’s economic performance, and – in turn – the city has become an attractive place to invest and do business. Evidence of this is in the decision by HSBC to relocate its head office to Arena Central. This is the third major recent investment following the relocations of Deutsche Bank and the High Speed 2 head office. These three deals demonstrate a commitment to over 4,000 jobs in the city.

The Advanced Manufacturing Hub is a 20 hectare site targeted at the automotive and aerospace supply chain. The site is at the centre of the UK motorway network. International hydraulic manufacturing company HydraForce, became the inaugural tenant of the Hub after relocating to a 120,000 sq ft purpose-built facility. German machine tool company Guhring are set to become the second occupier at the AMH and are set to build a new 50,000 sq ft facility.

The Tyseley Industrial Area covers over 230 businesses and around 100 hectares of traditional industrial and employment land. It has been designated an Environmental Enterprise District, to secure investment in the resource recovery sector and in emerging energyfrom-waste and related technologies.

The campus has over 50,000 square metres of development opportunity for companies in the life sciences sector. Based alongside two of the city’s key life science assets – the University of Birmingham (encompassing the UK’s second largest medical school) and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital – the campus will maximise the growth of this thriving sector.

The Food Hub forms part of the former IMI site in Witton, with over 36 hectares of prime industrial land. The Food Hub provides the opportunity to combine manufacturing, R&D and distribution in a location attractive to companies looking to locate at the heart of the UK’s food and drink sector. Birmingham’s Wholesale Markets will move to a new 210,000 sq ft purpose-built facility based within the site. This will be a major catalyst for the growth and development of the Food Hub.

The ITEC Zone lies at the heart of one of the most significant urban development schemes in the UK. Delivered by St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, the £1 billion redevelopment of Longbridge is one of the largest regeneration projects outside of London and the biggest in the Midlands. With the first phase of the new £70m town centre now open and a £100m Technology Park that has attracted local, national and international ICT-based businesses, Longbridge is quickly evolving into a hub for progressive technologies and services

Boasting one of the strongest economies outside London, UK Central Solihull is one of the most compelling inward investment locations in the UK, offering a powerful combination of opportunity, connectivity and lifestyle.

Highlights of the last year include over 60 company expansions and relocations to the area - a quarter of these resulting from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) - totaling over 40,000 square metres and 3,200 jobs.

Core business sector strengths include advanced manufacturing, building technologies, aerospace and ICT, as well as a range of low carbon industries. Home to major brands including Arup, Oracle, Siemens, Fujitsu and Balfour Beatty, recent investments have also seen Changan Automotive acquire a 7,500 square metre worldwide headquarters for its powertrain and R&D divisions at Birmingham Business Park.

Recognising the unparalleled investment to date, UK Central Solihull represents the area’s strong and dynamic economy, as well as future opportunity. The home of the planned High Speed Rail Interchange and large scale development plans, the area’s vision encompasses four economic opportunity zones, designed to maximise Solihull’s role as a powerhouse of the regional economy.

By 2033, an ambitious vision for growth will mean that the Black Country will have increased the number of local jobs to 545,000 and strengthened the business base by creating an additional 1,500 new businesses each year.

Acceleration of the housing market to support economic growth is a key priority for the Black Country, and the Black Country Garden City Prospectus outlines a major opportunity to build over 45,000 homes across 550 key development projects

The Black Country ‘HVM City’ is the development programme driving the advancement of the world-class design, manufacturing and engineering opportunities in the Black Country. It will deliver product and process development, advance industrial design standards, foster intelligence and market-leading skills and build sustainable supply chains linked to global economic requirements. HVM City will add over £1 billon to the economy, bring forward over 150 hectares of land for advanced manufacturing and create over 25,000 jobs. HVM City will create the perfect economic conditions for advanced manufacturers to thrive; through investment in world leading people, businesses and places.

Wolverhampton is part of the Birmingham and Black Country conurbation. A thriving, young and vibrant area, Wolverhampton city centre is currently enjoying record levels of investment, and continues to demonstrate that it offers exceptional opportunities for businesses. Strategic regeneration of Wolverhampton city centre presents a unique opportunity for investors to be part of a truly transformational scheme, with a range of significant mixed-use opportunities available within the city centre. The £120 million Wolverhampton Interchange infrastructure project, a key component in supporting the city’s growing economy, is set to radically improve Wolverhampton’s transport gateways and connections. Interchange will be home to a new mainline railway station serving 4.75 million passengers a year on the West Coast Mainline, and an extension to the Midland Metro light rail network will offer direct connectivity to Birmingham City Centre.

There are a number of opportunities for investors at the helm of the region’s industrial heartland. The Black Country Enterprise Zone (BCEZ) has been described as the most successful nationally, and has already generated £1.5 billion of investment. A wide range of sectors are encouraged to the site, including advanced manufacturing, transport technologies, construction, environmental and business services.

The Enterprise Zone is located in one of the most competitive areas within the Black Country; home to global giants including Jaguar Land Rover, Carillion, Porsche and Moog. Benefiting from being located at the heart of the West Midlands manufacturing and distribution networks, with valuable incentives available, the BCEZ covers 120 hectares and is one of the UK’s leading business hubs.

In addition, there are a number of other development sites in the vicinity of the BCEZ. While not formally part of the portfolio, they are attractive opportunities that will benefit from the higher profile that Enterprise Zone status brings to the area. The broad Enterprise Zone locations benefit from excellent regional, national and global connectivity, giving easy access to and from customers, suppliers and business partners. At the hub of one of the UK’s best road and rail networks, 90% of the population are within a four hour drive and intercity rail connections are on the doorstep. Three million people of a working age live within a 20 mile radius of the Black Country, offering access to vast local labour pools and world-class engineering skills. There are 16 Higher Education Institutions in the Midlands providing approximately 13,400 graduates per year in Engineering & Technology related subjects. There are also 10 leading universities, two of the top five UK business schools, eight science parks and a number of specialist further education institutions within 35 miles.

The planned £100 million Springfield Campus at the University of Wolverhampton is an example of the region gearing up to deliver the needs of the UK. The Springfield Campus will be a world-class centre of excellence for construction and the built environment, delivering an unbeatable skills pathway for construction education and training, while supporting business growth regionally, nationally and internationally.

The Campus will be home to the West Midlands Construction University Technical College, which provides education for up to 600 14-19 year olds, and the new home of the University’s School of Architecture and the Built Environment.

Arena Central is a 9.2 acre development site in Birmingham city centre, being delivered by Arena Central Developments Ltd (ACDL), a joint venture between Miller Developments and Pro Vinci Asset Management.

Designed to meet Birmingham’s growing demand for high quality office space, the vision for the site is to create a vibrant, class-leading mixed use development all set within a unique and inviting public realm.

Situated in Birmingham’s City Centre Enterprise Zone, the development benefits from simplified planning and reduced business rates, and forms a significant part of the city’s vision for regeneration, as laid out in the Big City Plan. Work is already underway on the first phase of the development, which will include the public realm and 2 Arena Central, the building selected by HSBC as the head office of its UK ringfenced bank.

Delivery of the next building on the site is anticipated to start in early 2017, with further details to be announced shortly.

Family-owned since 1717, Calthorpe Estates and its strategic partners are responsible for delivering a multi-million pound regeneration portfolio including retail, leisure, office, medical and residential developments across its prestigious 610 hectares Estate.

New developments include the world-class medical facilities at Pebble Mill, which is located within Edgbaston Medical Quarter; Edgbaston Village, an emerging premium mixed-use urban village within the heart of Edgbaston; in addition to Edgbaston Mill, opposite Edgbaston Stadium.

Edgbaston Medical Quarter is integral to the life science and healthcare growth within Birmingham, it promotes collaboration and brings together healthcare, academia and industry to support the 22 life science specialist clusters.

Calthorpe Estates is able to offer a range of opportunities for investors and end-users within the office, retail and medical accommodation, ranging from operator-focused new build through to suites and individual consulting rooms.

Countryside creates places of character and quality, designed to strengthen people’s sense of belonging and build enduring value for all. We achieve this through creating new homes and neighbourhoods of lasting quality, distinctive character and quality.

Countryside develop mixed tenure communities on greenfield and brownfield sites through partnerships with landowners, local authorities, the private rented sector and registered providers. Our success in creating residential developments that generate value and benefit local communities has given us a reputation that sets us apart. We specialise in working in partnership to create mixed-tenure and mixeduse schemes including estate regeneration.

Founded over 55 years ago, Countryside has earned a reputation for high quality, sound governance and good management practices. Our reputation for honesty, integrity, delivering and adding value has enabled us to successfully partner with landowners, public agencies and major commercial organisations.

Our specialist knowledge of the Midlands Real Estate Market is based on a heritage that dates back to 1820. Today Bilfinger GVA is recognised as the leading property adviser in the Midlands approaching 400 Directors and staff in 20 specialist teams based in our regional HQ.

We are working harder than ever for our clients, seeking to deliver solutions that bring tangible results to people, business and communities. Our specialist knowledge ranges through the property life cycle from Planning, Development and Regeneration Consultancy through the construction process to Valuation, Asset and Property Management, Marketing to Agency and Investment transactions.

Our clients are from both the public and private sectors including Government Departments and Local Authorities, Investors and Property Companies, Financiers and Lenders, Land Owners and Developers and, last but by no means least occupiers, the driving force behind all property markets. We have played a key role in bringing forward many of the region’s most significant regeneration projects including Paradise Birmingham, Brindleyplace, the Curzon Master Plan Area, Arena Central, Eastside and Friargate Coventry, advising many key stakeholders.

Through our partnership with the Core Cities group we produce detailed research on regional growth through devolution. This is part of our support and promotion of the West Midlands Combined Authority and Midlands Engine as part of the wider devolution debate.

The UK’s most important city centre development outside London, Paradise Birmingham is at the heart of the transformation of the cultural and civic centre of the city.

Creating a vibrant, office-led development of high quality commercial, civic, retail, leisure and hotel space, the Paradise redevelopment across 17 acres is providing major improvements to pedestrian access across the city and offering greatly enhanced public realm befitting its exemplary historic setting of some of the country’s finest Victorian listed buildings.

The £500m Paradise scheme is set to create up to 12,000 jobs on completion and will deliver nearly two million square feet of space including offices and a 4* hotel.

Birmingham Airport sits in the centre of the UK and is the most accessible airport by road and rail, with 20 million people living within the 90 minute catchment. Just 10 minutes to the centre of Birmingham and a little over an hour to London by train, it serves ten million people a year, travelling with 50 airlines to 140 direct destinations, including daily flights to New York, Delhi, Istanbul, Islamabad, Doha, Dubai, Paris and Frankfurt.

Birmingham Airport’s total economic impact in the West Midlands in 2014 was around £1.1 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) and it supported around 25,300 jobs. Across the UK, where more of the Airport’s impact is captured, it is estimated to boost the economy by around £1.7 billion in GVA and around 39,850 jobs.

The success of Birmingham Airport is largely due to its excellent location at the heart of the country’s road and rail network. In fact, it is the most accessible airport in the UK, serving the greatest number of passengers within two hours travel by road and rail. With the arrival of High-Speed Two (HS2) in 2026, Birmingham Airport will be able to serve the greatest number of passengers within a one hour journey and will be the most convenient long-haul airport by road and rail for 19 million people - more than any other long-haul airport.

A 13 acre regeneration project owned, developed and managed by Goodman comprising 800,000 sq ft of high quality office accommodation, together with a mix of uses, Eastside Locks will create a vibrant, thriving new Business and Innovation Hub in Birmingham, at the heart of the Midlands Engine.

Eastside Locks is distinct from other higher density schemes. Business, leisure, retail, learning and living space complement one another. Stunning landscaping will form an integral part of the design, with vibrant public spaces around the historic canals and locks helping to create a striking waterfront destination in which to work, live and learn.

The scheme will be a highly accessible, sustainable mixed use development, of local and regional importance, located in Birmingham’s Curzon regeneration area and right next to HS2’s Birmingham terminus.

Managed to create an exciting and innovative business environment, there is a strong emphasis on high quality, and strategic linkages to the Innovation Hub, an initiative led by Birmingham’s Universities to promote the benefits of Business and academia working side by side to provide investors with access to high quality research, investment opportunities and graduates.

Cllr John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council: “Our biggest events programme to date at this year’s MIPIM will ensure Greater Birmingham once again catches the attention of the global investment community. With development sites across the region to showcase, ranging from landmark high-speed rail stations at Birmingham Curzon and UK Central to the Black Country’s successful Enterprise Zone, Greater Birmingham will promote capital investment opportunities for the property market’s most important decision makers.

“Central to this year’s programme is the strong collaboration between the private and public sectors, and across local authority and local enterprise partnerships throughout Greater Birmingham. By continuing to work together, we can deliver the jobs and growth that are vital to the economic development of the region, and overall growth prospects of the UK.”

Tom Westley, Black Country LEP lead for the Enterprise Zone: “Greater Birmingham’s MIPIM 2016 delegation will be its biggest yet, demonstrating how the region’s investment potential has gained real momentum and remains highly competitive. Delegates will be able to learn about a significant range of opportunities in the Black Country, from our Enterprise Zone to the significant investment in Wolverhampton city centre, which includes additional retail space and commercial opportunities, as well as creating new homes. For the Black Country MIPIM is a fundamental opportunity to make new industry connections and stimulate investor interest.”

Cllr Ian Courts, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Managed Growth at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council: “MIPIM enables us to showcase one of the country’s most compelling inward investment locations to a global audience. UK Central is directly accessible from London and home to major economic assets including Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre, a planned High Speed Rail Interchange, Jaguar Land Rover and several world class business parks.”

Andy Street, Chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP: “With over £1billion of investment in the region in the last year, Greater Birmingham is experiencing record levels of growth. Globally significant companies like HSBC and Jaguar Land Rover are locating or expanding in the area, demonstrating their confidence in the future of the local economy.

“MIPIM is the ideal platform to showcase everything the region has to offer and promote the potential for further growth; reinforcing Greater Birmingham’s place on the world stage for investment. “

Europe’s first Park Regis hotel opens in Birmingham

Midland Metro extension to New Street completes

Rolls Royce opens purposebuilt £75 million facility at Birmingham Business Park

Work continues on Paradise Birmingham (until 2026)

Work starts on LondonBirmingham HS2 line. New National College for High Speed Rail opens

2 Arena Central handed to HSBC (opening in 2018 )

Construction begins on new design of Centenary Square

West Midlands Combined Authority elects Mayor

Strategic redevelopment of Wolverhampton city centre

New multi-million pound regional HQ of Interserve opens at UK Central Solihull

45,000 homes built across 550 developments – part of Black Country Garden City Prospectus (to 2033)

Birmingham Smithfield development

Note: We ask that all media interested in attending any of the events listed below, contact Tom Marlow or Rabia Raza from the Marketing Birmingham press office to confirm attendance.

Tuesday 15th March 1030 – 1045

Stand: R7.B12

Transforming perceptions By 2033, an ambitious vision for growth will mean that the Black Country will have increased the number of local jobs to 545,000 and strengthened the business base by creating an additional 1,500 new businesses each year.

Presentation: Dr Christopher Handy OBE, Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership

Acceleration of the housing market to support economic growth is a key priority for the Black Country, and the Black Country Garden City Prospectus outlines a major opportunity to build over 45,000 homes across key development sites.

1100 – 1145

Stand: R7.B12

The Midlands HS2 Growth Strategy - how to trigger growth in Curzon The creation of two high-speed rail stations in Greater Birmingham places the region at the heart of the UK’s new HS2 rail network.

The arrival of HS2 will trigger a major period of economic activity throughout the region – unlocking sites, generating new jobs and attracting significant investment.

Presentations: James Raven, Goodman

Cliff Allan, Birmingham City University

Panel:

Cliff Allan, Birmingham City University

Waheed Nazir, The area around Birmingham Curzon’s HS2 station will see significant development, with ambitious plans to create a world-class knowledge hub and realise major commercial schemes. It is set to create over 14,000 jobs, 600,000 sq metres of new employment floorspace and 2,000 new homes.

A panel will debate the growth potential of HS2, and how local action can maximise this once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Birmingham City Council Liz Peace, Curzon Urban Regeneration Company

Andy Street, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership

1200 – 1245

Stand: R7.B12

The Midland HS2 Growth Strategy – the Interchange at UK Central UK Central is one of the most compelling investment locations in the UK, bringing together global businesses and strategic economic assets.

Located in Solihull, UK Central will be home to the HS2 Interchange station, cutting journey times to London to just 38 minutes. It links HS2 to national economic assets including Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Business Park and Jaguar Land Rover.

Learn more about how UK Central is set to attract further investment through the launch of its Urban Growth Company and plans for the Interchange site. You will also find out about the scale and potential of the opportunities available at this unique site at the heart of the UK.

1430 – 1515

Stand: R7.B12

Leveraging public assets to drive growth At a time when local authorities are expected to deliver high-quality services, it is critical to ensure that their assets are used to their full potential – to deliver a strong return on investment for local residents.

Europe’s largest local authority, Birmingham City Council, has explored how to maximise its assets to attract and generate investment.

The presentation will set out the Leader of Birmingham City Council’s vision for powering economic growth through an innovative use of financial instruments and public sector assets.

Presentations: Cllr Ian Courts, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Ben Gray, Interchange Land Owners Consortium

Panel:

Cllr Ian Courts, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Ben Gray, Interchange Land Owners Consortium Andy Street, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership

Presentation: Cllr John Clancy, Birmingham City Council

Panel: Cllr John Clancy, Birmingham City Council Liz Peace, Curzon Urban Regeneration Company Neil Rami, Marketing Birmingham

Mark Rogers, Birmingham City Council

1530 – 1615

Palais des Festivals Audi K – Level 4

The launch of the UK Midlands Engine Pitchbook The Midlands Engine is unrivalled in the UK for its scale and diverse range of investment opportunities. It has the potential to generate £34 billion of productivity and growth by 2030.

The Midlands Engine Pitchbook is critical to securing more international investment into the region – which will boost its increasingly strong economic performance and cement its position as one of the best business locations in the world.

1630 – 1700

Stand: R7.B12

The future of retail The UK’s retail industry is facing a significant transformation in how it operates, with e-commerce in particular causing a revolution in how consumers want to engage with brands.

Presentations: Tony Danaher, UK Trade and Investment

Andy Street, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership

Dr Colin J Clinton, UK Trade and Investment RIO

Panel: Robin Dobson, Hammersons

Andy Street, John Lewis

Steve Yewman, Westfield

Changes to the retail sector can cause a ripple effect across the UK’s economic and property landscapes. The UK was home to more than 280,000 retail outlets in 2013. The industry is responsible for 5% of UK GDP, and employs some three million people.

How will the emergence of online retail affect a retailer’s demand for space – and will this impact on the investment opportunities in shopping locations in city centres and surrounding areas?

A panel debate with national industry experts will discuss the challenges and opportunities that this industry presents to investors.

1700 – 1830

Stand: R7.B12

Greater Birmingham welcome reception Join Greater Birmingham’s delegation and reception sponsor the Birmingham Post as MIPIM 2016 gets underway.

With 42 partners taking part in this year’s delegation, and 20 events planned during the show, Greater Birmingham is set to surpass the success of last year’s event.

Key schemes to be showcased during MIPIM will range from mixed-use developments such as Paradise, Birmingham Smithfield and Arena Central, to the Enterprise Zones in the Black Country and Birmingham city centre.

Transport infrastructure – including Birmingham Airport and the opportunities surrounding the region’s two HS2 stations at Birmingham Curzon and UK Central in Solihull – will also be presented to the thousands of investors attending the event.

Greater Birmingham will once again be catching the attention of the global investment community at MIPIM 2016.

Welcome speech: Andy Street, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, speaking on behalf of the Greater Birmingham delegation

Wednesday 16th March 0930 – 1015

Stand: R7.B12

Best in class: the impact of higher education on urban regeneration Investors are always on the hunt for locations with world-class higher education provision, which can deliver highly-skilled staff, cutting-edge facilities and vast R&D opportunities.

What’s more, higher education institutions are also securing investment.

Their growth is stimulating the creation of major schemes – from new campus sites to research institutions and student accommodation.

Panel: Cliff Allan, Birmingham City University Jackie Dunne, The University of Wolverhampton

Glenn Howells, Glenn Howells Architects

This discussion will debate the importance of Higher Education and the innovation sectors in promoting urban regeneration – and how the knowledge economy is driving investor decision-making.

1030 – 1115

Stand: R7.B12

The launch of Birmingham’s Smithfield Masterplan Birmingham Smithfield is a once in a generation opportunity to deliver a unique destination for the city. The launch of the Masterplan marks the next stage in this exciting scheme that will transform the city’s visitor economy with vibrant retail markets, family orientated leisure and entertainment, exemplary residential neighbourhoods and new public spaces all in the heart of the city centre. The plans will see this 14 hectare prime city centre site redeveloped with 300,000 sq metres of leisure, retail and cultural floorspace and over 1,000 new homes.

Presentations: Mark Rogers, Birmingham City Council

Waheed Nazir, Birmingham City Council

1130 – 1200

Stand: R7.B12

Harnessing future growth through connectivity

Panel:

Cllr Ian Courts, National government is backing Greater Birmingham’s ambitions for HS2 – committing £4.4 billion to maximising the opportunities around Birmingham’s Curzon station and extending the city’s Metro link to the area.

Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Robert Eaton, Birmingham Airport

Developing closer links to UK Central in Solihull, which will be home to Greater Birmingham’s other HS2 station, will be a significant catalyst for growth – particularly through the Eastern corridor of Birmingham.

Waheed Nazir, Birmingham City Council

This panel debate will look at how investment in infrastructure and connectivity will have a transformative effect on the property market and development activity.

1215 – 1230

Stand: R7.B12

Transforming cities: making it happen in Wolverhampton Wolverhampton city centre - investment progress and future investment opportunities outlining a £500 million development plan

1430 – 1500

Stand: R7.B12

Transforming landscapes: how devolution is driving growth

Presentation: Tim Johnson, City of Wolverhampton Council

Panel:

Tim Johnson, The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) recently secured the UK’s biggest devolution deal, securing £1 billion of Government funding towards key growth areas including transport and skills.

The establishment of the WMCA will help to push forward the development of new infrastructure; the promotion of a highly-skilled workforce; and delivering a more integrated approach to attracting inward investment.

Ultimately, it will ensure that local partners are coordinating their work to fully realise the region’s potential as an investment destination.

This panel discussion, featuring representatives from the WMCA, will explore how changes to regional governance will affect the commercial property market.

City of Wolverhampton Council Nick Page, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

Martin Reeves, Coventry City Council

Mark Rogers, Birmingham City Council

1515 – 1545

Stand: R7.B12

Building cities for the future The demand for city living is only set to increase. The world’s urban population in 2014 accounted for 54% of the total global population, up from 34% in 1960, and continues to grow.

This panel discussion will explore how cities must take new approaches to housing, transport and infrastructure density to address continued demand

Panel: Waheed Nazir, Birmingham City Council

Tim Johnson, City of Wolverhampton Council Liz Peace, Curzon Urban Regeneration Company

Prof Greg Clark CBE, Panel Chair 1600 – 1630

Stand: R7.B12

The science behind development schemes How will the emergence of the life sciences sector affect new development opportunities – and what does this fast-growth industry require from a location?

From a highly-skilled talent pool of leading academics and clinicians, to cutting-edge medical facilities and a diverse and settled local population, life sciences in particular has a unique set of demands.

Greater Birmingham is home to over 550 medical technology companies, more than any other UK region. Expect a lively discussion from life sciences and property experts across Greater Birmingham, who will consider how to attract new investment from this exciting industry – and how a location must adapt to meet demand.

1700 – 1800

Stand: R7.B12

Greater Birmingham drinks reception Join Greater Birmingham’s delegation for drinks and canapés, where you can meet the 42 private and public sector partners attending MIPIM 2016.

With Greater Birmingham continuing to attract the attention of investors worldwide, now is the time to explore how you can engage with this growing, dynamic and innovative region.

Panel: Cliff Allan, Birmingham City University Jackie Dunne, The University of Wolverhampton

Glenn Howells, Glenn Howells Architects Mark Lee, Calthorpe Estates

Thursday 17th March 0915– 1000

Stand: R7.B12

Driving commercial development through inward investment

Presentations: Neil Rami,

Birmingham’s Enterprise Zone has made a tangible impact on the city since launching in 2011, by helping to kickstart major regeneration schemes such as Birmingham Curzon and Paradise.

Marketing Birmingham

By targeting the digital, creative and business, professional and financial services (BPFS) sectors, its sites are now welcoming investors ranging from HSBC to a wave of tech start-ups. Funding allocated to the EZ has also helped to create 60,000 sqm of new floorspace.

The next phase of this scheme will focus on developing growth alongside attracting talent.

Jonathan Wallis, Arena Central

Panel: Rob Groves, Paradise

Charles Toogood, Bilfinger GVA

Jonathan Wallis, Arena Central

Dan J Wright,

1030– 1045

Stand: R7.B12

Find out how this UK city is tackling the dynamic of people and place, and hear a panel debate about how the BPFS sector is influencing urban regeneration

HSBC

Industrialised evolution: once the birthplace of the industrial revolution, now the UK’s flagship High Value Manufacturing City

Presentation: Tom Westley,

Launch of the Black Country’s High Value Manufacturing City digital asset.

1100– 1130

Stand: R7.B12

Supplying future growth Industry supply chains are critical factors in attracting companies to a location, providing the necessary networks, expertise and connectivity for businesses to thrive.

Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership

Panel: Stephen Hollowood, Bilfinger GVA

Mark Lee, Catlhorpe Estates

James Raven, How can locations ensure that their supply chains reach their full potential in the future? And to what extent do supply chains directly influence the development of new schemes and facilities?

This event will look at two highly valuable industries in Greater Birmingham – life sciences and advanced manufacturing. A cross-sector panel will be exploring the relationship between local supply chains and the development community.

Goodman

Tom Westley, Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership

The region’s ongoing transformation into one of Europe’s leading investment destinations is a result of collaboration – the coming together of people, businesses and industries.

More partners than ever before, across the public and the private sectors and across local authority and Local Enterprise Partnership boundaries, are working together to innovate, create and build an amazing future for our region and to showcase Greater Birmingham globally.

This partnership is ensuring Greater Birmingham is at the heart of the UK’s economic future and we invite you join that partnership.

Birmingham City Council Birmingham City Council is the body responsible for the governance of the city of Birmingham in England. It is the largest local authority in the United Kingdom, representing over one million people. The City Council has put in place an ambitious growth agenda to meet the needs of its growing population and build a strong and prosperous economy for the future.

Spokespeople: Cllr John Clancy, Leader; Mark Rogers, Chief Executive; Waheed Nazir, Acting Strategic Director for Economy

Black Country LEP The Black Country LEP aligns activity across private and public sectors to create the right environment for businesses with a remit to tackle barriers to business growth and create a globally competitive local economy. The Black Country – located at the heart of the national transport network – comprises the metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and the city of Wolverhampton. It covers 356 sq km, is home to 1.14 million people and approximately half a million jobs in 31,000 companies.

Spokespeople: Tom Westley, Black Country LEP lead for the Enterprise Zone; Tim Johnson, Strategic Director - Place; Dr Christopher Handy OBE, Black Country LEP, board lead on social enterprise, housing and low carbon issues

Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP The Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP was established in 2010 to strengthen local economies, encourage economic development and enterprise as well as improving skills across the region. The partnership includes Birmingham, Solihull, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Tamworth, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, Redditch and Wyre Forest Spokesperson: Andy Street, Chair

Marketing Birmingham Marketing Birmingham, the city’s strategic marketing partnership, operates the city’s leisure and business tourism programmes – Visit and Meet Birmingham – as well as its inward investment programme, Business Birmingham. The company is funded by the public and private sectors, including Birmingham City Council, European Regional Development Funding and some 400 local companies.

Spokesperson: Neil Rami, Chief Executive

UK Central UK Central is one of the most compelling inward investment locations in the UK, offering a powerful combination of opportunity, connectivity and lifestyle. The area encompasses the cosmopolitan town of Solihull, Birmingham Airport and the National Exhibition Centre campus, the planned High Speed Rail Interchange, Jaguar Land Rover and several world class business parks. UK Central boasts four interconnected investment zones with both current available commercial space and future development land.

Spokesperson: Cllr Ian Courts, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Managed Growth

Arena Central Arena Central is a 9.2 acre development site in Birmingham city centre, being delivered by Arena Central Developments Ltd (ACDL), a joint venture between Miller Developments and Pro Vinci Asset Management. Designed to meet Birmingham’s growing demand for high quality space, the circa £400m development has outline planning consent in place for up to 1.2 million sq ft of mixed-use space, comprising offices, hotel, leisure and retail uses.

Spokesperson: Jonathan Wallis, Development Director, ACDL

Bilfinger GVA Our specialist knowledge of the Midlands is based on years of experience in the region. Our heritage dates back nearly 200 years to 1820. Today, Bilfinger GVA is recognised as the leading property adviser in the Midlands market. We work closely for and alongside major stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, from local authorities and leading developers to investors, financiers, property companies, land owners and occupiers. Our advice ranges from planning, development and regeneration consultancy through the construction process to valuation, asset management, marketing and agency transactions.

Spokesperson: Ian Stringer, Regional Senior Director; Charles Toogood, Senior Director; Stephen Hollowood, Senior Director; Craig Alsbury, Senior Director

Birmingham Airport Birmingham Airport sits in the centre of the UK and is the most accessible airport by road and rail, with 20 million people living within the 90 minute catchment. Just 10 minutes to the centre of Birmingham and a little over an hour to London by train, it serves ten million people a year, travelling with 50 airlines to 140 direct destinations, including daily flights to New York, Delhi, Istanbul, Islamabad, Doha, Dubai, Paris and Frankfurt.

Spokesperson: Paul Kehoe, Chief Executive

Calthorpe Estates Discover thriving communities in Edgbaston, Birmingham. Discover Calthorpe Estates, a forwardthinking and progressive property investment and development company that is creating the best places to live and work. Family-owned since 1717, Calthorpe Estates and its strategic partners are responsible for delivering a multi-million pound regeneration portfolio including retail, leisure, office, medical and residential developments across its prestigious 610 hectares Estate.

Spokesperson: Mark Lee, Chief Executive

Countryside Properties Countryside creates places of character and quality, designed to strengthen people’s sense of belonging and build enduring value for all. We achieve this through creating new homes and neighbourhoods of lasting quality, distinctive character and quality. Countryside develop mixed tenure communities on greenfield and brownfield sites through partnerships with landowners, local authorities, the private rented sector and registered providers.

Spokesperson: Ian Simpson, Land and New Business Director

Goodman A 13 acre regeneration project owned, developed and managed by Goodman comprising 800,000 sq ft of high quality office accommodation, together with a mix of uses, Eastside Locks will create a vibrant, thriving new Business and Innovation Hub in Birmingham, at the heart of the Midlands Engine.

Eastside Locks is distinct from other higher density schemes. Business, leisure, retail, learning and living space complement one another. Stunning landscaping will form an integral part of the design, with vibrant public spaces around the historic canals and locks helping to create a striking waterfront destination in which to work, live and learn.

Spokesperson: James Raven, Development Director, UKBP

Paradise The UK’s most important city centre development outside London, Paradise Birmingham is at the heart of the transformation of the cultural and civic centre of the city. Creating a vibrant, office-led development of high quality commercial, civic, retail, leisure and hotel space, the Paradise redevelopment across 17 acres is providing major improvements to pedestrian access across the city and offering greatly enhanced public realm befitting its exemplary historic setting of some of the country’s finest Victorian listed buildings.

Spokesperson: Rob Groves, Senior Project Director, Argent

AECOM AECOM has had a presence in Birmingham for over 35 years. During this time AECOM has evolved to be one of the largest multi-disciplinary consulting organisations in the market and now the number one design, build, finance and operate provider in the region.

Spokesperson: Peter Mumford, Director

AFL Architects AFL Architects is an international Architectural practice with offices in Birmingham, Manchester and London. We work across a number of sectors including sport, health, residential, commercial, leisure and education. Our team of staff are passionate about the spaces that shape our environment.

Spokesperson: Steve Stock, Director

Arcadis Arcadis is the leading global Design & Consultancy firm for natural and built assets. Applying our deep market sector insights and collective design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services we work in partnership with our clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes throughout the lifecycle of their natural and built assets.

Spokesperson: Simon Marks, Partner

Bouygues UK Bouygues UK is a major player in the construction, housing and development sectors. We deliver innovative and sustainable construction with intelligent management over the life of each project, constantly striving for efficiency and excellence. Our unrivalled technical project solutions, combined with the strong financial position of our Group, are key differentiators.

Spokesperson: Craig Tatton, Managing Director

Bruntwood Bruntwood is a family-owned and run property company whose goal is to create the right places for people to succeed. We have a fundamental belief that there is always a way to improve the world around us and that as a good business we have a responsibility to always leave things better than we find them.

Spokesperson: Peter Crowther, Property Director Claremont We are Claremont Property Group a privately owned multidisciplinary residential property investor and developer. Founded in 1999 our family owned business has utilised private equity to fund acquisitions with above average industry returns.

Spokesperson: Manjit Deol, Co-Founder

Commercial Estates Group (CEG) As an investment and development company, CEG works with local authorities and communities to deliver vibrant new spaces and places across the UK. Our UK portfolio comprises almost 10 million sq ft of commercial space with a capital value of £800 million.

Spokesperson: Richard Burke, Regional Head of Strategic Development – Midlands

Cundall Cundall is an international award winning multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy with significant expertise and resources in the design of sustainable buildings. Situated in the heart of Birmingham’s Business District, Colmore Row, our office of 74 staff have worked on local projects and remain the leaders in the market Spokesperson: Belinda Morgan, Partner

Custard Factory The Custard Factory is the UK’s leading destination for creative and digital businesses, independent shops and alternative culture outside London. Set in 15 acres of beautifully restored Victorian Factories, just five minutes’ walk from the Bullring, it is the heart of Birmingham’s buzzing creative and digital district.

Spokesperson: Lucan Gray, Owner

EDG Property Testament to the company’s track record and growing reputation, EDG Property partners with a number of the UK’s largest private equity funds and banks as well as investing its own capital into exciting development opportunities.

Spokesperson: Neil Edginton, Managing Director

Glancy Nicholls Architects One of Birmingham’s leading architectural practices, Glancy Nicholls Architects continues to develop high quality architecture, regionally and nationally. Seeing growth for 2016, the studio has in excess of 50 employees.

Spokesperson: Lyndon Glancy, Director

Gleeds Established in 1885, Gleeds is an independent global property and construction consultancy that has built its reputation on delivering award-winning projects around the world. Gleeds helps businesses and investors achieve the best value from their assets by providing advice that’s reassuringly free from conflict of interest.

Spokesperson: Lindsay McCombe, Director

Glenn Howells Architects Glenn Howells Architects has built a strong reputation over the last 25 years for designing innovative, award-winning buildings and shaping areas of cities throughout the UK. With offices in Birmingham and London, underpinning the practice is an approach rooted in exploring ideas of how places and buildings can make peoples lives better.

Spokesperson: Glenn Howells, Founding Director

Hollywood Monster Set in the heart of the West Midlands, Hollywood Monster remains one of the UK’s largest signage and wide format printers; with projects across the Midlands, London and even around the world. The family-run business was created in August 2009 with the merger of two sister companies; Hollywood Signs and Monster Digital, combining 30 years’ signage experience.

Spokesperson: Tim Andrews, Managing Director

Jaguar Land Rover Jaguar Land Rover is the largest manufacturer of premium vehicles in the UK and employs 35,000 people in the UK and 2,000 more globally. It supports 224,000 people through the supply chain, dealer network and wider economy.

Spokesperson: Les Ratcliffe, Head of Community Relations

Jones Lang LaSalle The UK’s urban landscape is shifting. Changes in the way we work and live, driven by the twin forces of technology and infrastructure along with the drive for devolution, are generating profound opportunities for UK cities and businesses. Our multi-disciplinary team has successfully delivered many cutting edge property developments and regeneration projects across the Midlands, providing advice across the entire property life cycle.

Spokesperson: Ian Cornock, Lead Director - Midlands

Knight Frank Headquartered in London, Knight Frank has more than 13,600 people operating from over 400 offices across 58 countries. Together with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank in the Americas, and Douglas Elliman Fine Homes in the USA, we provide the very best real estate transaction, consultancy and management services across an integrated global network.

Spokesperson: Justin Gaze, Partner, Head of Residential Development

KPMG KPMG’s Birmingham office is the fifth largest in its European network. With over 1,000 specialists located in the heart of the city’s Colmore Business District, KPMG offer a wide range of audit, tax and advisory services, to the region’s infrastructure, construction, real estate and public sectors.

Spokesperson: Siobhan Lodder, Director

Nikal Nikal is a privately held limited company that pursues major town and city centre development and regeneration projects, and real estate investment opportunities.

Spokesperson: Nick Payne, Managing Director

PGC Capital PGC Capital is a private equity fund based in China. We specialise in channelling capital from Chinese state-owned or listed companies and high net worth individuals into UK projects which offer the greatest returns and least amount of risk. Our first development, in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, will see a prime city centre site transformed into a collection of 77 luxury apartments.

Spokesperson: Francis Hilton, UK President; Denise Li, Chief Executive

PwC We work at the heart of the regional economy. We advise the Public Sector and business, and support them to attract the investment needed to improve competitiveness and deliver growth. These businesses are facing the dual challenges of complexity and uncertainty. We work alongside them, to help them deliver success for their customers, people and communities.

Spokesperson: Richard Parker, Partner

Rider Levett Bucknall Rider Levett Bucknall is an independent, global property and construction practice providing advice focused on the cost, quality and sustainability of the built environment. The firm offers three core services - quantity surveying, building surveying and project management.

Spokesperson: Nigel Mason, Managing Partner

Shakespeare Martineau Deals done, problems solved and results delivered that are essential to your commercial success. The Shakespeare Martineau team focuses on delivery with speed, accuracy and incisive advice to help you achieve your aims.

Spokesperson: Kevin Nagle, Head of Real Estate

Sterling Property Ventures Sterling PV specialises in commercial property development, finance and investment. The company is bringing forward more than 800,000 sq ft of development in Birmingham, including 103 Colmore Row, Great Charles Place and Lumina.

Spokesperson: James Howarth, Managing Director

University of Wolverhampton The University of Wolverhampton plans for its new ÂŁ100 million-plus campus development to become a world-class centre of excellence for construction and the built environment. Springfield Campus will deliver an unbeatable skills pathway for construction education and training, while supporting business growth regionally, nationally and internationally.

Spokesperson: Jackie Dunne, Deputy Vice Chancellor

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff is one of the world’s leading engineering professional services consulting firms. We provide services to transform the built environment and restore the natural environment; our expertise range from environmental remediation to urban planning, from engineering iconic buildings to designing sustainable transport networks.

With over 300 employees located at One Queens Drive in the heart of Birmingham city centre, we combine local people and international expertise to deliver major projects across the Midlands.

Spokespeople: Malcolm Davidson, Director ; Karen Evans, Technical Director

Spokespeople: If you would like to arrange interviews or receive supporting quotes from any of Greater Birmingham’s strategic partners, development partners or supporting partners, please contact Rabia Raza or Tom Marlow from the Marketing Birmingham communications team.

Images: http://birminghamtoolkit.com/

Marketing Birmingham: www.businessbirmingham.com

Birmingham City Council: www.birmingham.gov.uk/bigcityplan

Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership: www.investblackcountry.com

UK Central: www.investinukcentral.com

@business_bham #MIPIMbrum

Media Contacts Tom Marlow, Senior Communications Executive Tel: 0121 202 5088 / 07984 410 462 tom.marlow@marketingbirmingham.com

Rabia Raza, Communications Executive Tel: 0121 202 5002 rabia.raza@marketingbirmingham.com