The man responsible for driving forward the Coventry and Warwickshire economy believes it is “more important than ever” that the area continues to act together and push for inward investment.
Jonathan Browning, chairman of the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, has been heavily involved in talks around the creation of a combined authority between seven metropolitan authorities in the West Midlands, but not Warwickshire which has voted not to take part.
But Browning, former boss of Jaguar and Vauxhall, believes that Coventry and Warwickshire will fully co-operate on attracting inward investment.
He has welcomed the decision by Coventry City Council and Warwickshire Country Council to organise a shared presence at MIPIM – the world’s largest commercial property show held in France in March next year.
He said: “I think it is good on two levels. Firstly it is important that things are not put on hold while the combined authority talks are on-going and continue to take shape over the coming weeks. The commercial world does not stop because of any potential political and civic changes and it is imperative that we keep our eye on the ball.
“Equally, whatever decisions are made over the coming weeks and months, there will still be a very active role for Coventry and Warwickshire acting in union. Our economies are inter-twined and it has to be remembered that private commerce does not work to the same boundaries of local Government.
“The reason we were able to establish a LEP for Coventry and Warwickshire was because we are a cohesive economic area and that will continue whatever happens in terms of devolution.”
The Coventry and Warwickshire presence, which is designed to promote development opportunities in the area, is funded by a partnership of private sector developers and other related businesses and in recent years has been at no cost to the city or county council.
Coventry and Warwickshire stages a string of events to attract audiences from key sectors and locations, and to underline potential opportunities in the area.
Browning added: “I know that Coventry and Warwickshire has a very strong record at MIPIM and it is key that we are out there promoting what we have to offer.
“Places have to be easy to do business with to be able to attract investment and cities are genuinely competing on a global basis, so it is vital our area is banging the drum in the right market places.”