Following the success of MIPIM UK and MIPIM 2017, businesses in Greater Lincolnshire are invited to join the growing line up taking the region to MIPIM in Cannes, the world’s biggest property event in 2018.

Lincolnshire will be in Cannes again in March in order to attract leading developers and investors from across the globe – and market the region’s growing investment and development opportunities.

Driven by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and Team Lincolnshire, the area has succeeded in establishing a recognisable presence in Cannes over the years. The private / public sector line-up of Team Lincolnshire has, for the past three years, helped to reinforce the area’s message.

Greater Lincolnshire LEP Director Ruth Carver says there will be a team of private sector businesses supporting the LEP in 2018 to ensure that Lincolnshire will stand shoulder to shoulder with not just UK and European cities and regions, but those from across the world.

The LEP is asking Lincolnshire firms to come forward if they are keen to sponsor the area’s presence – and be part of the delegation.

Ruth added: “In 2017, we had the best public-private sector collaboration to date. We have a number of private sector firms already signed up for 2018 – and we are looking for more to ensure we have an even stronger, vital team of like-minded individuals to promote  our local opportunities.

“There are so many opportunities for UK regions at Cannes – when it will be propelled onto an international stage. For sponsors, there are many opportunities too – and a chance for businesses to work closely with regional partners and be part of the Midlands Engine through the Midlands UK Pavilion.”

The private-public sector partnership and its annual support of the area at MIPIM has also been the catalyst for the recently launched Team Lincolnshire Ambassador programme.

The Greater Lincolnshire LEP and Lincolnshire County Council relaunched the scheme in Lincoln. Now the ambassador programme, with paid membership and networking is a formal scheme which ensures that Lincolnshire gets great profile all year round – not just at MIPIM UK and MIPIM Cannes, said Ruth.

She said: "Team Lincolnshire came about through MIPIM and our businesses’ great support of our activity at Cannes – and the ambassador programme was a natural follow on from that.

“Lincolnshire has a strong and unique partnership with its businesses and together we have successfully orchestrated the region’s presence at MIPIM, achieving great profile and results with a modest budget and an immense amount of goodwill and effort.

"We are determined to make the most of opportunities at MIPIM in a targeted way, put Lincolnshire on the international stage and encourage investment in the area."

Lincolnshire businesses already signed up are Pygott and Crone, Roythornes, LK2, Building Services Design, YMD Boon, Woodhead Group, BSP Consulting, Fraser Brown, Cartwright Communications, Willmott Dixon and CPMG.

Juliet Slater, team leader for Lincolnshire at Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “As a business we’re committed to playing a big role in Lincolnshire, encouraging inward investment and acting as ambassadors for the region.

“We’ll be visiting the MIPIM 2018 for the very first time as sponsors of the LEP and members of Team Lincolnshire. I look forward to the opportunity to represent our business and Lincolnshire at an international level.”

Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Councillor for Economy and Place at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “With major new roads, food enterprise zones and other exciting developments coming to fruition, there has never been a better time to do business in Lincolnshire. However, it's not unusual to meet people from outside the county who know nothing about us. We're working hard to change that, and, over the years, MIPIM has proved an ideal opportunity to promote our county and has helped attract new investors to the area. We look forward to being there again this year."

John Tansur is Commercial Director at law firm Fraser Brown which has chosen to sponsor Lincolnshire for 2018.

He said: “Lincolnshire has a wealth of opportunities and last year really welcomed us during our first visit to MIPIM. Its success at MIPIM is testament to the hard work that Lincolnshire puts in – and the team’s camaraderie and support network. We were invited in 2017 to a number of Lincolnshire events which worked well for us – which prompted us to renew our sponsorship for next year’s event. The time is right for Lincolnshire and we are proud to be part of the team taking the region to MIPIM.

“Lincolnshire has so much to shout about – particularly in infrastructure. The city is on a roll and forging ahead with regeneration plans while others are standing still.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring Team Lincolnshire should contact Karen McCall on 01522 550617 or email her at Karen.McCall@lincolnshire.gov.uk. For more information about Greater Lincolnshire LEP and the work it does, visit: www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk