Major investment opportunities and developments across Coventry and Warwickshire will be highlighted at the first virtual Midlands economic growth conference.
The three-day digital Midlands Forum for Growth has been developed by the Midlands Engine in partnership with local authorities across the region and organised by property networking forum Movers & Shakers.
The event will run virtually from Tuesday, November 24 to Thursday, November 26 from 9.30am to 1.15pm and is the first such event to be staged by any UK region since the pandemic began.
Public and private sector leaders from across the Midlands will be showcasing £12bn of investment opportunities to the national and international investor community and discussing their plans to consolidate the Midlands’ position as a world-class investment destination.
Over the three days, a series of interactive presentations and panel discussions will focus on delivering sustainable and good growth, opportunities for better public and private collaboration and the priorities for the future and building on success.
There will be keynote addresses from Sir John Peace, Chairman of the Midlands Engine and Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street.
The speakers from Coventry and Warwickshire focusing on the area’s key investment and growth projects will include Coventry City Council Chief Executive Martin Reeves, Warwickshire County Council Strategic Director for Communities Mark Ryder, Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) Chief Executive Martin Yardley, Principal and Chief Executive Officer at North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College and CWLEP board director Marion Plant and Co-Founder of Leamington-based technology company The Emerald Group and CWLEP board director Sarah Windrum.
Nick Abell, Chair of the CWLEP, said: “Coventry and Warwickshire will have a strong presence during the three days underlining the level of development either on-going or in the immediate pipeline. Our track record on investment and our strengths in key industry areas means we remain a very attractive proposition both nationally and internationally.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “The event will allow us to showcase the dynamism and opportunity that lies in Coventry and Warwickshire. Given the region’s reputation for being the home of so much innovation, it is entirely fitting that we should be making good use of digital platforms to showcase development opportunities to local and international investors. “
Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration at Coventry City Council and CWLEP board director, said: “Our development plans, along with the UK City of Culture in 2021, means we have very high levels of development underway and this event will be a good way to highlight to a wide audience, the opportunities which Coventry and Warwickshire presents.”
