23 October, 2008 – Manchester's Inward Investment Agency bucks trend to reveal record half year results

MIDAS reports 1,600 new Greater Manchester jobs created in last six months

MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment and Development Agency, has today announced record half-year job creation figures for the city region.

A series of high-profile relocations to the region that have taken place in the first half of this year has helped to deliver 1,600 new jobs. The breadth and strength of the city region’s offering to UK companies and public sector agencies, as well as leading international corporations has enabled the region to remain a leading European destination for investment.

Recent relocation successes include the Arts Council, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, BMI Healthcare and Credit Suisse.  As well as attracting new agencies and companies to the city region MIDAS has continued to support existing businesses located in the city region. This support has witnessed major expansions by the Bank of New York Mellon and US-owned Teletech.

These results reflect the strong track-record MIDAS has in delivering high-levels of support and expertise to companies considering relocating. Those that have relocated to the city region in 2008 join a growing list of leading international companies, including Google, Adidas, IBM, Bank of India and Sainsbury’s, who have recognised the economic benefits the city region has to offer.

Commenting on this strong performance, MIDAS Chief Executive Colin Sinclair warned against complacency:  “The second half of this financial year will be extremely tough for all major European cities. The meltdown of the global financial markets will inevitably impact hard on all of MIDAS’ projects relating to indigenous business growth, inward investment, airport route development and property schemes.

“However, with such a competitive offering, the Manchester city region will be better equipped than most to weather the economic storm. Key public sector relocations from London, including the BBC move to MediaCityUK and the prospect of a multi-billion pound investment in the city region’s transport infrastructure, reflect these strengths. The efforts of MIDAS, the Greater Manchester Local Authorities and the NWDA, to support Manchester-based businesses, and to attract national and international investment to the region, will continue to deliver a complete and world-class offering.”

Michael Oglesby, MIDAS Chairman said: “In the face of an incredibly challenging economic climate, these results are very encouraging for Greater Manchester.  The results are testament to the hard work of the MIDAS team, the support of our ten local authority partners and the Northwest Regional Development Agency, and the relationships we continue to develop with key partner organisations such as The Economic Commission, Marketing Manchester, Manchester: Knowledge Capital, and pro.manchester”.

Source: MIDAS

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23 October, 2008 – Manchester's position as a leading European business city reinforced

A report published last week by real estate specialists Cushman & Wakefield has seen Manchester climb even further up the list of leading European business locations from 18th to 14th, placing it above every UK city outside London and moving above Dublin.

The research, based on responses from senior executives from 500 top European companies, indicates that Manchester is increasingly being recognised as a city region in which to establish and grow a successful global business.

Manchester, ranked 2nd in Europe for availability of office space, continues to demonstrate the breadth of its property offer, and listed as the 10th best city in terms of value for money office space, is able to provide a genuine cost-effective & sustainable alternative to some of the more overheated markets.

The city region’s connectivity – and the ease of access to markets this affords – has always been a key driver for inward investors. Manchester’s commitment to continually developing routes in, out of and around the city region has seen it feature in the top 10 European cities for both internal and external transport links in this year’s report, supported by a significant rise in rankings in terms of ease of access to markets.

The release of the European report follows the publication of Cushman & Wakefield’s UK Cities Monitor in September in which Manchester was listed as the best UK city outside London for international and internal transport links.

Manchester’s strengths at a European level served to further reinforce the findings of the UK report in which Manchester was ranked best UK city for a new headquarters and best UK city for a new back office function, for the second year running.

Now recognised in this index as the top UK city doing the most to improve itself, it can be expected that the Manchester City Region won’t rest until it is firmly positioned in Europe’s top ten business locations.

Tony Bray, Head of Cushman & Wakefield in Manchester, commented “We are very pleased that Manchester has further strengthened its position as the UK’s second city and has continued to boost its profile on the national and international stage.
 
In the current market it is imperative for cities to distinguish themselves and Manchester’s ability to respond to key business relocation decisions is demonstrated by its status within the business community. 
 
Manchester is aiming to complement rather than compete with London and will continue to attract UK and international corporates.  Whilst the city region should not rest on its laurels it is as well placed as possible to perform through the economic uncertainty which we now face.”

Colin Sinclair, Chief Executive of MIDAS, Manchester City Region’s investment and development agency, said “the European and UK Cities Monitors are highly respected indices and we are pleased with our progress, but we won’t rest on our laurels just yet. There is a lot to do and we know how tough the market will be in the coming year.”

Source: MIDAS

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23 October, 2008 – Manchester's 21st Century Transport Film Launched

Transport, congestion charging, and a proposed £3 billion investment in Manchester's infrastructure have all been making the headlines of late. Extensive consultation has sought the views of both residents and businesses. There is no doubt that this is the biggest decision to have faced the city region in the 21st Century. But do we really know what's at stake?

Marketing Manchester, the agency charged with promoting Manchester on a national and international stage, and MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, have got together to produce a short film focused on the potential for transport to have a dramatic effect on the city region.

The film is available online, at www.21centurytransport.com.

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of MIDAS, says: “The importance of a fully integrated and modern 21st century transport system to a growing conurbation cannot be underestimated. Millions of commuters, residents and visitors move around the Manchester city region every day. This experience should be as fast, easy, safe and accessible as possible. There must be choice as well as integration, whatever the form of transport.”

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, adds: “People are the key to a city region’s economic success, their journeys must be cost effective and stress free. The film highlights the importance of transport and the tradition that Manchester has in making radical decisions, from the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal in the 19th century to the investments proposed for the current day.”

The Department for Transport has approved proposals made under the Transport Innovation Fund for a major investment in public transport, funded by a combination of Government Grant and income from a limited peak time weekday only congestion charge.

Source: Marketing Manchester

Link: www.gmfuturetransport.com

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