Staffordshire promoted on national stage as top place for investment potential

Staffordshire’s reputation as a county growing in investment potential is set to be enhanced at a national three-day event this week.

A delegation from the county council and its partners will be promoting Staffordshire at UKREiiF (UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum) in Leeds.

The inaugural event aims to brings together local and regional public sector organisations with Government, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders and more.

Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and partners will host events across the three days. It is anticipated over 4,000 people will attend.

At the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent events, there will be a focus on positioning the county as a place to invest, town centre and high streets regeneration and the investment potential along the A50/A500 corridor with major transport infrastructure improvements planned.

County council chief executive John Henderson will join a panel to discuss the Future High Streets programme tomorrow (Tuesday).

On Wednesday John will be joined by county council leader Alan White for a panel discussion on growth along the A50/A500 corridor. Also on the panel are Maria Machencoses, chief executive of Midlands Connect, Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Abi Brown, Ann Pittard, director of engagement and partnerships at Keele University and John Kavanagh, director of communications at JCB.

Other sessions will promote some of the county’s key investment sites, such as Chatterley Valley, i54 South Staffordshire and the Stafford Gateway.

Staffordshire County Council leader Alan White said:

“This is the inaugural UKREiiF event – bringing together councils and regional bodies with developers, housebuilders and Government.

“It’s therefore critical that Staffordshire has a presence there throughout where we are very much at the forefront. We want to make a lasting impact on those who could bring substantial investment to our county, either directly or as decision makers. With that investment comes jobs, better health and strengthened communities.

“Together with our partners we are determined to make our mark over the three days and will be following up on the contacts we have made and conversations we have had in the next weeks and months with planned and focused activity.”

Main themes across the event include the UK’s net zero target, social value and inclusive growth, the future of real estate, building better communities and a focus on inward investment.