Investment doesn’t just happen, you have to win it…

• Liverpool City Region sends top-level delegation to world’s leading property festival, MIPIM

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• Mayor explains why it’s vital to be there – promoting the city region’s £11bn of investment opportunities to the world

The Government has made economic growth its number one priority – because a stronger economy means more jobs, better public services, and more money in people’s pockets.

But turning ambition into reality means backing the places that are ready to deliver. The Liverpool City Region is one such place.

This week we are sending a strong delegation to MIPIM, because investment doesn’t just happen – you have to go out and win it. Our £11bn pipeline of investment-ready projects is one of the most exciting in the UK, spanning life sciences, advanced manufacturing, digital, AI, and clean energy.

These aren’t just big projects for our region – they’re nationally and internationally significant, with the potential to drive UK growth, create thousands of jobs, and unlock billions in value.

That’s why we don’t sit back and wait for investment to come to us – we go out and fight for it.

In the last few months alone, I’ve been on the road – leading trade missions to the US and Ireland, strengthening ties with global investors, and promoting our region’s economic strengths on the world stage. We’ve set an ambitious target to increase foreign direct investment by 25% by the end of the decade, because more investment means more high-quality jobs, better training opportunities, and stronger businesses.

That work is already delivering results, with Kyndryl – the world’s largest IT infrastructure provider – choosing Liverpool for its UK base, bringing 1,000 highly skilled, well-paid jobs to our region.

Our £1bn life sciences sector is leading cutting-edge research at Paddington Village, attracting investment and innovation to the North. We’re pioneering the UK’s clean energy transition with Mersey Tidal Power, the world’s largest project that has the capacity to generate secure, renewable energy for hundreds of thousands of homes while creating thousands of green jobs.

And we’re at the forefront of advanced manufacturing and defence. Just last week, the Prime Minister visited Cammell Laird to see how our skilled workforce is building the next generation of UK warships – a reminder that our region plays a critical role in Britain’s national security and industrial strategy.

But Liverpool is more than just an economic success story, it’s a global brand that helps get our foot in the door when speaking to investors.

Among non-capital cities, Liverpool ranks in the top 10 globally for name recognition, despite not even making the top 100 by population size. That reputation isn’t just about football and music – it’s an economic asset, making our region one of the most marketable investment locations in the UK.

That global recognition brings real economic impact. When we hosted Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, we delivered a £65.9m boost and showcased the place we are privileged to live and work in to a worldwide audience. In 2023, we welcomed 60 million visitors, driving growth across hospitality, retail, and culture. We’ve hosted G7 summits, major trade delegations, and last week’s inaugural UK-Ireland Summit, reinforcing our role as a global gateway for business.

We know what works. We have the right partnerships, the talent, and a pipeline of investment-ready projects that can deliver rapid results.

To go even further, we need to work in partnership with Government to build on this momentum. That means ensuring high-growth regions like ours have the tools, investment, and autonomy to accelerate economic delivery. It’s where the rubber of devolution hits the road.

We’re not asking for favours or handouts, just for our success to be recognised and for the backing to take it to the next level.

The Liverpool City Region is ready to play its full part in the UK’s growth mission. With the right support, we can deliver more good jobs, attract even greater investment, and help build a stronger, more resilient national economy.