A dozen West Yorkshire businesses, including Leeds Academic Health Partnership, are visiting Nashville, Tennessee this week for a series of meetings with potential investors and trade partners.
The delegation of businesses, organised by Mayor Tracy Brabin to create opportunities for investment, is the first of its kind for the region and includes health sector delegates:
- EMIS (UnitedHealth Group)
Putting forward a united public-private plan for investment, the Mayor hopes to inspire confidence in the region’s fastest growing sectors, including its health and life sciences sector.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “By coming together with business to champion our great region abroad, we’ll attract investment, create good jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets.
“This first of its kind trade mission will help our businesses to grow and succeed, by opening up export and investment opportunities in a stronger, brighter region.
“And here at home, our investments in transport, skills and homes will help create the right environment for growth, by connecting businesses to the talent and finance they need to succeed.”
As part of the mission, the Mayor will meet with the Mayor of Nashville, Freddie O’Connell, to progress talks on a new partnership between their healthtech and digital tech ecosystems, to increase the flow of knowledge, products and investment.
As home to NHS England’s headquarters and Europe’s largest teaching hospital, West Yorkshire is recognised as a global leader in health innovation.
The sector employs over 100,000 people across over 300 companies and will be supported to grow even further through a 10-year, £160 million Healthtech and Digital Tech Investment Zone, secured from the Government.
Nashville, which has almost doubled its number of health and life sciences jobs since 2000, has been identified as a prime trading partner for West Yorkshire. Overall, the state of Tennessee ranks third in the US for the export of medical supplies and equipment, worth over $4 billion.
Joining the delegation on behalf of Health Innovation Leeds is Kate Lodge, Partnership Director, Leeds Academic Health Partnership.
Kate said: “I’m delighted to join our West Yorkshire partners in this exciting opportunity to further strengthen our burgeoning health innovation industry sector.
“As well as showcasing the internationally-renowned strengths of our city and region, I’m sure we’ll bring back valuable insights, new opportunities and make vital connections on which to build.”
