Member Article

Sheffield goes global to drive the city forward

Sheffield launches its International Economic Commission this month, in an ambitious drive to engage the best brains from around the world in driving the city forward.

The commission will involve a series of visits from internationally-renowned delegates, to enable decision-makers in Sheffield to share expertise and ideas on a global level and boost confidence in the city’s economic plans.

Councillor Leigh Bramall, cabinet member for business, skills and development at Sheffield City Council, said: “We’re driving forward our economic vision in a bold and ambitious way. This is very much about ‘doing’ – not about meetings and presentations - but about moving forward with creativity and confidence, with input from movers and shakers across the world.

“A big part of this is about thinking not just on a national, but on an international, scale. When the very best people in the business want to come to Sheffield to see the city and what it has to offer for themselves, it is a clear sign that we are on the right path.

“Internationally, we want Sheffield to increasingly realise its role in the global marketplace and look at examples from cities around the world for inspiration. More regionally, we want to punch our weight in the Leeds – Manchester – Sheffield economic triangle and make Sheffield City Region the advanced manufacturing and engineering capital of the UK.”

Bruce Katz, vice president of the Brookings Institute and former advisor to President Obama, will be visiting Sheffield City Region on Friday January 16, hosted by Sheffield and Rotherham Councils and the University of Sheffield. The visit forms the first part of Sheffield’s new International Economic Commission.

In what is a major coup for city leaders, he is coming to Sheffield and Rotherham to see Europe’s leading research led manufacturing cluster, centred around the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and the wider Advanced Manufacturing Park at Waverley.

Mr Katz’s visit is the first of a series of “city charrettes,” which will showcase Sheffield to the world and enable city leaders to make global investment connections.

He said: “I’ve heard great things about the Sheffield City Region and particularly its research-led Advanced Manufacturing capability, so I’m keen to come and see it for myself.”

Mr Katz, founding director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Programme, which advocates the importance of cities in stimulating economic growth, is internationally renowned for his work on policy reforms and strategic investments that can drive cities forward.

He co-led the housing and urban transition team for the Obama administration and previously served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Bill Clinton.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .