Mayor Richard Parker has described a flagship investment summit scheduled to be held in the West Midlands as a ‘huge vote of confidence’ in the region.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) announced that the summit, originally planned by the mayor, has now evolved into a national event. It will showcase the UK’s regional investment strengths, with the West Midlands hosting.
The Regional Investment Summit – West Midlands 2025 will focus on unlocking investment into the UK’s cities, towns and industrial clusters. Scheduled for the autumn, the event is set to place the West Midlands at the heart of the government’s economic strategy.
Mayor Parker said: “This is a huge vote of confidence in the West Midlands. We had ambitious plans for our summit – and now, by working with the Government, we’re making it even bigger and better. This will be a national platform to promote investment in our region and a major opportunity to spotlight the talent, innovation and potential of the West Midlands.”
The event is expected to attract investors and business leaders from around the world. It will align with the UK’s industrial strategy and highlight specific investment opportunities in regional economies. A high-profile media campaign will promote the West Midlands as the host region.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Our regions offer huge investment potential that will help drive growth across the country and put more money in people’s pockets. I’m delighted to be returning to Birmingham later in the year to bring together investors from at home and abroad with our great regional businesses.”
The Chancellor mentioned the summit during the Sport’s Quarter investment announcement alongside Mayor Parker at Birmingham City Football Club last week .
Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the summit “will play a vital role in helping to attract new opportunities, unlock growth, create jobs and boost investment in every corner of the UK.”
Mayor Parker added that the summit “is not just about putting the West Midlands on the map – it’s about placing regional growth at the heart of the national agenda. That’s how we deliver more jobs, better productivity and inclusive prosperity for people right across this country.”
Neil Rami, chief executive at the West Midlands Growth Company, said the announcement was “welcome news”, adding: “It presents a unique opportunity for the West Midlands to take centre stage and showcase its strengths to international decision makers.
“As one of the UK’s leading innovation hubs, with exceptional talent, our region is pioneering frontier solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges. We continue to punch above our weight in driving foreign direct investment as global businesses place their trust in the region.
“We look forward to working closely with the Office for Investment and the WMCA over the next few months to shape the inaugural Regional Investment Summit and maximise its value to the region. It starts in the West Midlands.”
The WMCA has said that further details of the Regional Investment Summit – West Midlands 2025 will be announced in due course.