Launch of Midlands Engine Investment Champions Network

The Department for International Trade is proud to launch their Midlands Engine Investment Champions Network tonight (26 March).

The aim is to recruit a group of successful inward investors who would be willing to share a small amount of their time to help attract new inward investors to the Midlands region. These will be business leaders who are able to offer experience that covers a range of sectors, company sizes and markets.

Sir John Peace, Midlands Engine Chairman said:

I am very proud to introduce our Investment Champions in the Midlands region.

As the world becomes ever more globalised, the potential for businesses to internationalise also increases, supported by advancements in innovation, technology, research and development. Such advancements mean companies can look at other overseas locations to establish their business.

For decades, the Midlands has seen many outstanding overseas companies from all sectors and global markets make the region their home. I want to use their experience and knowledge to raise the profile of the Midlands region to those overseas investors considering locating their business in the UK.

We know that business professionals set great store by peer-to-peer support, so we have developed a network of Investment Champions to act as advocates for ‘Why invest in the Midlands region.’ This is a first for this initiative in the UK regions and the Midlands is leading the way.

Once potential investors have made the decision to choose the UK, we seek to ensure that the Midlands region is their location of choice and by hearing from other like-minded overseas-owned businesses, they will understand first-hand the breadth of opportunity here.

It is a priority of the Department for International Trade to maximise opportunities for wealth creation through supporting foreign direct investment into the UK. This network will enable more potential investors to hear what the Midlands region has to offer to facilitate their business to both establish and flourish here.

I would like to thank our Investment Champions for generously offering to share their experiences and knowledge with others.”