Region’s Mayor Projects Highlighted At Huge UK Investment Event

Some of the Tees Valley’s biggest redevelopment opportunities have been in the spotlight at one of the country’s largest real estate and investment exhibitions.

The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority are promoting the region – including Teesside International Airport’s Business Park, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough Development Corporations and the Teesside Freeport – during the three-day UKREiiF event.

The annual showcase brings together the public sector alongside Government, investors, funders, developers, housebuilders and more to outline investment and development opportunities while helping forge new connections and relationships.

More than 6,000 attendees and 150 exhibitors are attending the event, taking place at Leeds Royal Armouries, which aims to help to drive economic growth through regeneration.

During the packed programme Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and Victoria Huntley, Teesside Airport’s Head of Estates, highlighted the airport’s £200million Southside Business Park – currently under development – which is expected to create 4,400 jobs when complete. TVCA Chief Executive Julie Gilhespie also told attendees how they can get involved in the two Development Corporations set to supercharge town centres by encouraging investment and cutting red tape.

Representatives from Teesside’s Freeport are also there to highlight the tax and customs incentives for businesses and investors at the 4,500-acre Freeport – the UK’s largest and first operational.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “UKREiiF gives us a huge opportunity to shout about all of the fantastic schemes we’re driving forward and put our region front and centre of this huge event.

“From our Freeport and Teesworks to our Airport and Development Corporations, our schemes are working together to redevelop our area, drive investment and create jobs like never before.

“The huge benefits of doing business or playing a part in our transformative plans are now being put in front of some of the country’s biggest investors, developers and decision-makers to ensure, once again, all eyes are on us.”

The Tees Valley exhibition is being hosted in partnership with the Thames Estuary Growth Board whose Envoy, Kate Willard OBE, is also Chair of the Board of Directors of Teesside International Airport Limited and that of its holding company Goosepool (2019) Limited.

Kate Willard OBE said: “There are so many things that bring the Thames Estuary and the Tees Valley together, I am absolutely delighted to see being practically together at UKREiiF this year – the UK’s most important growth and regeneration event. We’ve both got Freeports, extraordinary inward investment opportunities, great businesses, great strides on the journey to Net Zero and (we like to think!) super great people to work with. And perhaps most importantly, both Ben and I are on a mission to get great stuff done. Which we will. We are really looking forward to meeting you.”