With a population of 7.1 million and home to some 266,000 businesses, the North West of England has the UK’s third largest regional economy, after London and the South East. Traditionally strong in manufacturing, digital transformation is one of the key drivers for the North West, with life sciences, financial and business services, energy, and advanced engineering as some of the main sectors. The region is today one of the UK’s top three destinations for foreign direct investments. How are Swedish businesses contributing to this development? And why are businesses looking to the North West when choosing where to invest in the UK?

Welcome to an afternoon of sectoral insights, success stories, and high-level networking in Manchester, as we look into the Swedish business footprint in the North West of England. In collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in London, the British Embassy in Stockholm, and MIDAS, the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK invites you to meet with industry experts, key stakeholders and the Swedish businesses that are investing in the region, and to connect with the wider Swedish-British business community.

Agenda

3.30pm
Registration, tea and coffee

4.00pm
Welcome
Annette Borén, North West Chapter Chair of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK 

Opportunities in the North West
David Hilton, Business Development Director, MIDAS 
Andy Hulme, Head of Innovation and Growth, North West Business Leadership Team

Investing in the North West
Michael Parker, Area Manager UK & Ireland, IKEA
Cliff Eccles, Chief Operations Officer, Pestokill - an Anticimex Company

Manchester as testing ground
Helen Beebe, UK Managing Director, AJ Products

Investing in sustainable manufacturing
Jo Pybus, Sustainability & Public Affairs Manager, Essity

Investing in people
Jenny Cundiff, Deputy Branch Manager, Handelsbanken
Joe Crolla, Skills Intelligence Lead, Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Kimberley Roberts, UK Finance Manager, Avalanche Studios Group

5.30pm
Drinks and networking

The event is moderated by Annette Borén, North West Chapter Chair of the Swedish Chamber of Commerce for the UK. 

About the event

‘Swedish business footprint in the North West’ is part of a series of events looking into the contribution Swedish businesses make to the regional development of the UK. Where are job opportunities created, what investments are Swedish businesses making, and how do they contribute to the local communities? The event is free of charge, and open for all to join.