Manchester at MIPIM

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Energy alliance and international enterprise wrap things up at MIPIM 2012

Renewable energy aspirations, including efforts by Siemens and Argent Group to meet CO2 reduction targets in the region will be the topic of the city's penultimate stand event at MIPIM.

The Alliance of Energy presentation by Juergen Maier, managing director of Siemens, and David Partridge, chief executive of Argent Group, will take place at 10:45 (09.45GMT).

David Partridge, joint chief executive of Argent Group said: "Manchester has always been at the forefront of innovation, and tomorrow we will showcase a unique approach to reducing carbon emissions in the city centre through working in partnership. Argent have been working closely with Manchester City Council on  a revolutionary District Heating Network for the central business district, starting initially in the St Peter's Square and Town Hall area where, between us we are investing nearly £200m, and capable of being extended in phases subsequently."

Juergen Maier, managing director of Siemens Industry in the UK & Ireland, said: "The environment in Manchester in terms of skills, innovation and business support is excellent, assisting crucial growth plans needed develop the UK's growing renewables sector, not only for us at Siemens but also the wider supply chain."

The city's final MIPIM stand event will take place at 15:45 (14.45GMT) and is entitled International Enterprise. Manchester Airports Group chief executive, Charlie Cornish, and University Hospital South Manchester (UHSM) chairman, Felicity Goodman, will lead the discussion, which will focus on the new Local Enterprise Zone, Airport City and MediPark.

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, said: "Undoubtedly, the connectivity Manchester Airport brings to the region positively drives its economic and social prosperity. Airport City is a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand on this, creating an international business destination linked to the global connectivity of the North's major international airport and driven by the region's global offer in terms of academic, scientific and technological credentials, supported by its communications and transport infrastructure." 

"Airport City is one of the most important projects for the economy of the UK and will elevate Manchester on an international scale enabling it to compete with other European airport cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona and Frankfurt."

Felicity Goodey, chairman of UHSM, said: "The MediPark is a gateway to two of Greater Manchester's biggest assets, namely the wealth and critical mass of medical research and clinical excellence, plus the UK's largest airport outside London. Set within the new Manchester Enterprise Zone, Airport City and the Manchester MediPark represent an unrivalled opportunity for investment and growth."

All of the Manchester Partnership's stand sessions at MIPIM 2012 will be live-streamed via: www.manchesteratmipim.com and uploaded to the Partnership's YouTube account shortly after.

Follow Manchester at MIPIM on Twitter (@mcrmipim), or use the #mcrmipim hashtag.    

ENDS