The new government will take its election pledge to “get Britain building” to international investors for the first time this autumn, when the UK Cities & Partners, Department of Business and Trade and some of the UK’s largest local authorities launch a UK Investment Prospectus, showcasing £100 billion+ of opportunities, in Germany.
London, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol, Liverpool, the Oxford to Cambridge region, West Midlands and the Thames Estuary are among the authorities that will showcase opportunities at EXPO REAL, a major annual trade fair focused on real estate investment.
The public and private sectors are backing the UK Investment Pavilion which aims to unlock new, long-term investment partnerships for the UK. Aviva Investors, Legal & General, Avison Young and Clifford Chance are also participating and supporting the biggest-ever UK presence at the event, which takes place in Munich from 7th to 9th October 2024.
Deputy Director of Head of Investor Relations at the Department for Business and Trade, Gus Wiseman said: “The Department for Business and Trade is proud to support UK Cities and Partners, along with local authorities, in showcasing the UK’s investment offer of £100 billion worth of opportunities at Expo Real.
“Our Department is firmly committed to driving the Government's mission for growth, supporting thousands of investment projects each year across the different nations and regions of the UK. Through reaching out to international investors, we can fund innovative new technologies, achieve our net zero goals and future-proof our economy.”
Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. Over the past two decades we have been putting in the work to create a fairer, greener, and more inclusive city-region, with economic growth at its core.
With a new Government in place that has made growth a defining mission, we are well positioned to accelerate delivery at the regional level, leveraging our proven track record and existing long-term strategic vision. Manchester can be looked to as a true exemplar for how to grow well and undoubtably represents the most exciting investment opportunity in the UK right now.”
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: "I see real opportunities in the West Midlands for businesses and communities. Our £20bn Investment Prospectus highlights just a few of them, but my focus is on making practical changes that deliver results.
“I’m working to remove barriers like planning delays, skills shortages, and infrastructure challenges so businesses can grow and communities can thrive. At EXPO REAL, we’ll be showing how we’re making it easier for businesses to relocate, giving investors confidence, and helping developers build the homes our communities need. My goal is clear: to make the West Midlands a place where businesses succeed and people feel proud to live."
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said: “The Liverpool City Region has a global reputation as a place of innovation and resilience. While our strengths in music, sport and culture are well known, we are also home to some world-leading, pioneering work in a range of sectors like life sciences and advanced computing
“We are proud to be part of the UKCAP Investment Programme, which we hope will help us to raise awareness of these strengths and bring in new investment. By attracting international funding, we will not only contribute to the nation's growth but also act as a catalyst for much needed regeneration, delivering good jobs and new training opportunities for local people.
“This is about building a future where the Liverpool City Region continues to lead, both nationally and globally."
Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said: "Liverpool is excited to be showcasing its economic potential to international investors at Expo REAL.
“The decade to come is a huge opportunity for growth and we have an amazing offer. Liverpool City Region has developed a world-leading reputation for innovation and R&D across a number of sectors, and we have several development zones now ready to go to the next level.
“We want to work with investors that want to help shape the next chapter in Liverpool’s future and help develop a city that seeks out the solutions for how we all want to live in the 21stcentury.”
Policy Chairman and Political Leader of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said: “The City of London Corporation stands ready with UK Cities & Partners (UKCAP) to showcase a multi-billion pound pipeline of opportunities for global investors at EXPO Real 2024, widely recognised as Europe’s largest real estate investment driven trade show. With projects in the City's commercial real estate market gaining momentum, a new UK Government making planning one of its top priorities and the City of London's Local Plan nearing full adoption, there is no better time to invest in the UK.”
Jen Hartley, Director, Invest Newcastle said: "Newcastle is proud to be a part of UK Cities and Partners and we relish the opportunity to showcase the vast potential of our city to international investors at Expo REAL.
“The event provides a platform for us to advance conversations about long-term investments in our city at a time when economic growth is at the forefront of the national agenda.
“As a city council, our mission is to ensure that we take residents with us on the growth journey and so we look forward to working with investors that can help us deliver places where people can thrive no matter their background.”
Dr Richard Hutchins Managing Director, Oxford to Cambridge pan-Regional Partnership said, "the UK's message could not be clearer: we're open for business and eager to work with the global investment community to secure the sustainable, environmentally distinctive development and infrastructure for our towns and cities.
"We're delighted to be part of the 100-strong UK delegation representing the UK's investment potential at Expo Real. The Oxford to Cambridge region has the scale and capabilities to become a top-three global science supercluster and we're on a mission to accelerate the economic opportunities created by our region's strengths in research, science and innovation, at pace, for our region to achieve this potential."
Jace Tyrrell, CEO, Opportunity London, said “We are delighted to be joining UKCAP for this year’s EXPO REAL, championing London as a leading global destination for capital investment.
London is the most diverse global city in the world, where people have chosen to live, work and explore for over 2,000 years. We have secure political, financial and legal institutions providing assurance to investors for their long-term stable returns, as we turbo charge our Net Zero City. We look forward to joining up with our colleagues in other UK cities to deliver investment through London and across the UK.”
Gareth Mee, Chief Investment Officer, Capital Investment, Private Markets, Legal & General, said: “Public-private sector partnerships are at the heart of how we deliver precisely-targeted investment and developments that are meeting local needs and priorities in cities across the UK, such as Newcastle, Manchester, and Birmingham amongst others. Legal & General are looking forward to being part of the UKCAP pavilion for a second year and engaging with like-minded partners with a shared goal of driving innovation and growth across the UK.”
Penny Hacking, Principal, Managing Director, Lead European Capital Markets, said “EXPO REAL provides an unparalleled platform for engaging with our global clients from both public and private sectors. With the new UK government’s commitment to improved planning policies and enhanced devolution of regional funding, the UK offers an increasingly attractive environment for international investors. Our participation in the UK Cities Pavilion for a second year is testament to the collaborative momentum driving the UK’s investment landscape.”
Alis Pay, Partner, co-head of Global Real Estate at Clifford Chance said "It is a privilege for Clifford Chance to partner with UKCAP on this bold initiative and we are proud to be involved in bringing public opportunities and private capital together to help shape the real estate and infrastructure needs of our regions whilst creating investment opportunities for our international clients."
Dr. Andy Williams, Chair, Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board, said, "the UK is bursting with innovation and creativity, with its world class universities and global enterprises translating that innovation into the technologies and industries of the future. The Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster is the crown jewel of European science and innovation and a region with huge growth and investment potential."
The pavilion will host events over the three days of the show and present the UK Investment Prospectus to investors at closed-door meetings in Munich.
Stephen Cowperthwaite, Principal, UK Regions, said "At Avison Young, we play an important role in driving investment into UK cities, fostering urban regeneration, and delivering long-term value to communities. By working closely with international investors and local stakeholders, we are helping to shape resilient urban environments that stand the test of time. EXPO REAL offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to these goals and to showcase the impactful work we are doing across the UK."
Melanie Leech, Chief Executive British Property Federation said: “The UK is one of the best places in the world to invest in real estate. Our educational, cultural and professional impact globally is unmatched and creates compelling investment opportunities in everything from life sciences to logistics, residential to retail, and all sectors in-between. The UK’s city regions are the drivers of the UK’s economy and future growth, and EXPO REAL is a perfect chance to showcase the wealth of investor propositions that the UK has to offer.