York and North Yorkshire launched its pitchbook offer to investors at the UK’s leading infrastructure conference in Leeds in a major push for growth across the region.
The UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) opened on Tuesday and is expected to bring in more than 16,000 people including developers, investors, as well as other local authorities and Combined Authorities across the week.
For the first time, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will run a packed programme of events across UKREiiF and at its own pavilion in partnership with businesses, stakeholders, universities as well as the region’s local authorities.
The first day of the conference saw the Combined Authority launch its Investment Pitchbook, showcasing the investable opportunities in the region and follows the launch of the Great North’s pitchbook yesterday.
Key to York and North Yorkshire’s and the joint prospectus launched by Northern leaders including Mayor David Skaith at the Great North Investment Summit yesterday (Monday, May 18) is York Central.
York Central is one of the country’s most significant regeneration opportunities, unlocking billions in investment, reshaping a major regional gateway and creating a new hub for innovation, enterprise and culture.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:
York and North Yorkshire is a spectacular place to live and with the space, the talent, and the bold, ambitious plans we’re well on the way to grow our economy and make sure that everyone in our region can thrive.
Our plans put our people at their heart and make it easier for investors, innovators and ideas to come forward with confidence, ensuring they can play a central role in making this region an even better place to live, work and visit.
With our presence growing on the national stage every day, and major projects like York Central moving into delivery, there has never been a better time to join our team and invest in York and North Yorkshire.
Jennifer Wood, Chair of York and North Yorkshire’s Business Board, said:
Growth is driven by business, and in York and North Yorkshire, the private sector is at the heart of our strategy. Our region offers a formidable competitive edge, from a world-class science base to a small business survival rate that is 25% higher than the national average.
From the scale of Konect62 in Selby to the urban transformation of York Central, we have the projects and the confidence to drive growth for years to come. We are bridging the gap between innovation and industry. This is your chance to join us as we drive growth with purpose.
Cllr Carl Les, Leader of North Yorkshire Council, said:
We welcome the excellent opportunity UKREiiF gives us to showcase the wealth of investment opportunities available in North Yorkshire to thousands of investors and developers across the UK. This is an opportunity to discover North Yorkshire’s rich and diverse offer across our urban, coastal and rural economies.
We’re an ambitious county with a highly skilled and motivated workforce and plenty of potential to unlock. Our mission is to transform economic growth in the north through innovation across all industry sectors, supported by our plans for strong placemaking, housing solutions and quality of life.
The Combined Authority will also use UKREiiF to put a spotlight on its work in doing devolution differently as a city region, rural powerhouse while creating a world-class bioeconomy in partnership with Tees Valley and more from its own pavilion.
The region’s push for investment at UKREiiF builds on the momentum of Ambition 2035, York and North Yorkshire’s inaugural growth summit held earlier this year. The event brought together hundreds of regional leaders and businesses to launch detailed plans for the future of growth, setting clear targets in lined with the Growth Plan.
With that growth, ambitious targets have been set to increase average earnings by a third and reduce the number of employee jobs paying below the real living wage, while maintaining high employment levels. The region has also set out ambitious building plans for 60,000 new homes, with 25,000 affordable, over the next 10 years.
UKREiiF and Ambition 2035 are part of a series of activities this year designed to boost international trade in the region, with Mayor David Skaith joining leaders from across the Great North on a trade mission to India later this year
