Prime Minister targets overseas funds with new investment body

The Prime Minister made an announcement at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet involving a new project in aid to international investors; a one-stop-shop has been set up to help them identify and fund regeneration opportunities in the UK.

The Regeneration Investment Organisation (RIO) will be administered by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and include an independent advisory board comprised of big hitters from British business and government, such as former Lord Mayor of the City of London, Sir Michael Bear.

Members include Argent CEO, David Partridge, St Modwin CEO, Bill Oliver, Macquarie’s Jonathan Harris, and Professor Michael Parkinson of Liverpool University.

RIO will direct investors to credible, UK industry-backed development opportunities throughout the country and ensure good local projects get the investment they need.

Sir Michael Bear says we have a really strong supply of regeneration projects in the UK. But currently the offer is fragmented with delays and it’s difficult for investors to navigate:

“The Regeneration Investment Organisation provides a great opportunity to announce a radical new approach to helping boost investment into the UK and provides a fantastic way of helping investors to find a credible pipeline and range of UK development opportunities and therefore get money into good projects and enable growths across the regions.”

Speaking at the Lord Mayor’s dinner, the Prime Minister, David Cameron said this will act as a one-stop shop for our major inward investment opportunities – with £100 billion of possible projects on the table: “These projects won’t just mean new jobs in London or the South East – but right across the whole country.

“And the first deal is just days away to boost regeneration in places like Liverpool, Salford, Sheffield and Leeds.”

The RIO will work to create an easier point of entry for investors and create stronger links and better support for new projects throughout the UK.