Devolution potential to be showcased at major property event

D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership is set to showcase the potential of devolution in the East Midlands to investors at a major real estate event.

The LEP, which covers the D2N2 region (Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire), is set to hold a panel discussion at the forthcoming UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiif) 2023, which will take place in Leeds, from Tuesday 16 May to Thursday 18 May.

The D2N2 LEP’s session, called ‘Shaping Devolution – a £1 billion East Midlands Opportunity’, will take place on Wednesday 17 May.

The panel will be made up of representatives from the LEP, the East Midlands Development Company and key businesses in the region, who will share their insights on the benefits and opportunities devolution will bring to the region.

They include D2N2 LEP chief executive Will Morlidge, Andrew Roberts, regional head of acquisitions (Yorkshire and Central) at Harworth Group, Andy Dabbs, director at Whittam Cox Architects, Sir Chris Haworth, chairman of the East Midlands Development Company, Ellie Hinds, business development manager at Scape Group and Steve Wooler, chief executive at BWB.

The East Midlands is on track to become the home of the UK’s newest and largest combined authority in 2024 – and the aim of the session will be to shine a light on the opportunities devolution will bring.

Delegates will have the chance to get involved in the discussion about what the private sector can bring to complement and enhance the devolution deal, which is set to leverage at least £38 million per year for the region over 30 years.

Mr Morlidge said: “We are delighted to host this panel session at UKREiif.

“The East Midlands devolution deal is not just about driving more funding from the Government into our region: it is also a very clear signal from government that the East Midlands is the vibrant industrial heart of the UK and is a great place to invest.

“Together with the rest of the panel, I am really looking forward to discussing the unique opportunities that devolution will unlock for businesses and investors in the region and beyond.”

The session is being supported by the region’s three key inward investment agencies – Marketing Derby, Destination Chesterfield and Invest in Nottingham.

Marketing Derby will be attending UKREiiF to raise the profile of Derby and Derbyshire with potential investors and to discuss city and county investment opportunities.

John Forkin, managing director of Marketing Derby, said: “As well as championing Derby and Derbyshire, we also regularly collaborate with our partners on projects that benefit the wider region, such as the East Midlands devolution deal, which we are fully behind.

“Over the years, we have achieved some notable successes, attracting major companies, both national and international, bringing thousands of new jobs to this part of the world and we are excited about the huge potential to do so going forward.”

Peter Swallow, chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “We are very excited to be collaborating with D2N2 LEP, Marketing Derby and Invest in Nottingham to showcase the exciting opportunities to invest in the region.

“One of the region’s many strengths is the effective collaboration between the public and private sector to drive forward sustainable economic growth.

“The panel session at UKREiif will showcase this work, and how you can get involved in the future.”

Lorraine Baggs, head of investment at Invest in Nottingham said: “The East Midlands Mayoral Combined Authority presents a fantastic opportunity for our region to combine our strengths.

“The devolution deal will bring more investment into our growing region.”

Places for the session are open to those registered to attend UKREiif and can be booked by visiting https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shaping-devolution-1bn-an-east-midlands-opportunity-tickets-621725677237.