Invest Newcastle celebrates its success after the city’s investment opportunities were showcased on an international stage at MIPIM last week.
Invest Newcastle, a service delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative on behalf of Newcastle to attract and secure new investment and jobs for the city, returned to the renowned international property show to elevate Newcastle into a position of strength as a leading European city, and promote the city’s opportunities to the global property market.
Invest Newcastle was joined by Newcastle City Council and a 25-strong delegation of leading businesses from across Newcastle and the wider region including:
- Adderstone Group
- Arch – The Northumberland Development Company
- All Saints Living
- Bradley Hall
- Bim Academy
- Citygrove
- Cundall
- FaulknerBrowns Architects
- Gavin Black
- GVA
- Hanro
- Highbridge Properties
- Keepmoat
- Kier
- Meldrum
- Naylors
- NE1 Limited
- Newcastle Science Central
- Port of Tyne
- Quorum Business Park
- Ryder Architecture
- Samuel Phillips
- Silverstone
- SpaceGroup
- UK Land Estates
Pat Ritchie, Chief Executive of Newcastle City Council said: “Confidence is building momentum in Newcastle with many investors looking to the city and the regions outside of London for new and exciting investment opportunities. Newcastle is a Great North City brimming with opportunity and, as we demonstrated at MIPIM, at the core of our approach is the strong working partnerships we have with the private sector. We will continue to work together on delivering viable solutions which secure long-term economic growth for the city. Newcastle’s best days truly are ahead of us.”
Catherine Walker, Inward Investment Director at Invest Newcastle, said: “Our attendance at MIPIM was a huge success. The Newcastle pavilion was always busy and had a true buzz around it. Our partners were able to meet with influential industry investors and have come away with key contacts, new leads and signed deals.
“The show is an unmissable opportunity to showcase Newcastle as a core UK city, and promote the city’s opportunities on a global stage.”
The Newcastle delegation brought forward a fresh portfolio of opportunities and attracted hundreds of MIPIM delegates to the pavilion through a series of events, covering topics such as, digital construction, PRS and revitalising old buildings.
GVA hosted a dinner alongside Newcastle City Council attended by key industry investors including Legal & General, Aviva Investors, M&G, Bruntwood and Muse Developments.
Ryder Architects launched the masterplan for East Pilgrim Street and were announced as the assigned architects for Legal & General’s first Grade A office block on Science Central.
As part of the Newcastle programme Space Group were commissioned to create a 360 degree, 3D experience to allow users to explore development sites as if they were actually in the buildings. The virtual reality experience allowed MIPIM delegates to walk through and explore new and upcoming development opportunities in the city including Newcastle Science Central, Stephenson Quarter and North Shore.
MIPIM was attended by over 24,000 delegates, from 100 countries, including 5,000 investors and financial institutions, confirming its position as the premier real estate event, gathering the most influential players from all sectors of the international property industry.
Paul Bell, Partner at Ryder Architecture, said: “This year was a step change for Newcastle. The pavilion had excellent footfall, visitors were always made to feel welcome and we had a positive message as a city to tell. The events in which we participated were well organised, well publicised and well attended. As a result Ryder had our most valuable MIPIM to date.”
Simon Beanland, Senior Director, Investment at GVA, said: “We were delighted to partner with Invest Newcastle at MPIM and have the opportunity to promote some of the city’s major development schemes and investment opportunities. The investors dinner was well attended by influential stakeholders and feedback from the event was very positive. These truly are exciting times for Newcastle with the prospects of three of the largest schemes to all move forward since the redevelopment of the Quayside. GVA are pleased to be involved with Science Central and East Pilgrim Street and to work with our clients and Newcastle City Council in moving these schemes forward.”
Rob Charlton, CEO at Space Group, said: “MIPIM focused on connections, cities and innovation and this is exactly what we tried to achieve for Invest Newcastle. An innovative way of bringing Newcastle to Cannes, not just by telling delegates what makes our city amazing, but by inviting them to experience it for themselves, without even having to leave the South of France.
“Through Invest Newcastle’s vision and commitment to bringing international investment to the North East, our city certainly stood out in the crowd. The virtual reality experience allowed us to showcase what we have to offer in the North East, a region of prosperity, opportunity and delivering remarkable projects which we are proud to share with our international piers.”
Invest Newcastle has already begun planning for MIPIM 2018 and will build upon the success of this year in ordered to continue to drive economic growth for the region. To hear more about Newcastle’s presence at MIPIM or to join the 2018 delegation contact mipim@ngi.org.uk.
