Huddersfield’s £1 billion future and potential for investment will be showcased to investors from across the globe.

Huddersfield Unlimited, the University of Huddersfield and Kirklees Council’s business, economy and growth service, Business Kirklees, are joining forces to host a fringe networking event at this year’s UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF).

‘Huddersfield: the Future of Health Innovation’ will bring to the fore the catalytic impact for wider investment in the town that the major developments at the university’s National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC) and the West Yorkshire Investment Zone represent.

Over 6,000 investors, funders and developers from across the world will be flocking to Leeds for UKREiiF, which is being held in the city for the second year running.

The fringe event, which is also open to anyone not attending UKREiiF, is hoping to attract public and private sector stakeholders, including investors, developers, health businesses and more, to discuss the opportunities that Huddersfield offers and create connections.

Huddersfield is buzzing with investment potential, with the Investment Zone along the Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor and NHIC at its core.

The Investment Zone, which was announced in November last year, builds on the town’s existing strengths and represents £160 million in funding over 10 years with a focus on supporting innovation in the health, wellbeing and digital industries.

It will see Kirklees – alongside other West Yorkshire authorities – receive government investment to boost innovation, productivity and growth, and to support the commercialisation of research.

The NHIC, which is currently planned to be comprised of seven new buildings, the first of which opens this September, will help to improve health outcomes and lead innovation in healthcare on a national basis by bringing together public-facing facilities, including award-winning student-led clinics, which will provide unparalleled support for workforce development.

In addition, Huddersfield is benefitting from over £1 billion of investment including the Cultural Heart town centre regeneration and the TransPennine Route Upgrade, which will bring rail electrification and an internal re-design for Huddersfield Railway Station.

Sir John Harman, chair of Huddersfield Unlimited, said: “Huddersfield really is the place to be in health innovation. With all the amazing developments like the National Health Innovation Campus and Investment Zone, Huddersfield is on the brink of becoming the UK’s health innovation hub.

“I am very pleased that we are partnering with the university and the council for this event to showcase to the investment community the value that can be achieved from working, living and operating a business in Huddersfield.”

Prof Bob Cryan, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Huddersfield, said: “I’m delighted that the University of Huddersfield is able to partner with Kirklees Council and Huddersfield Unlimited for this event.

“We share a common goal of supporting innovation and investment in the health, wellbeing and digital industries.

“The university’s National Health Innovation Campus is at the heart of the West Yorkshire Investment Zone and will make a real difference to the health and prosperity of the region, providing regeneration, investment, employment and growth opportunities, including world-leading research and innovation. This event provides the ideal platform to share all the many and exciting regeneration projects in Kirklees.”

Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said: “This event is a chance for us to showcase the incredibly exciting work going on in Kirklees, and how it’ll act as a springboard for local development opportunities.

“The area we’ll be showcasing – which we’ve dubbed our Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor – encompasses huge investment through the Huddersfield Blueprint, the TransPennine Route Upgrade, the university’s new campus, and our own flagship business centre the Glass Box, not including our strong links to other key locations like Leeds, Bradford and Manchester.

“All of this is set to act as a tremendous catalyst for future development in Kirklees.”

The ‘Huddersfield: the Future of Health Innovation’ fringe networking event will be held at Horizon Leeds at 5pm on Thursday May 21, at the close of the first full day of UKREiiF in the city.

The event is open to entrepreneurs, businesses, developers and investors, whether they are attending UKREiiF itself or not.

To find out more and register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/huddersfield-the-future-of-health-innovation-tickets-867589612887