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Inward Investment Agency Taps Talents of Construction Expert

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Inward Investment Agency Taps Talents of Construction Expert

Construction expert and chartered quantity surveyor Brian Percival has been named as Chairman of york-england.com - the dynamic business organisation set up to attract inward investment to North Yorkshire.

Brian brings with him over 40 years of experience in the construction industry and is Head of Practice at a North Yorkshire-based firm of architects, project managers and quantity surveyors. Since becoming Chairman in July, Brian has worked together with the york-england.com team to develop a new and proactive strategy for promoting North Yorkshire as a business destination focused upon developing new sustainable infrastructure for companies in the region.

York-england.com, offers a one-stop service to potential investors providing access to planners, developers, education and training providers as well as local employers. They have already enjoyed considerable success in bringing new business to the area, attracting 30 new companies to North Yorkshire over the last 12 months, creating and safeguarding nearly 500 jobs which far exceeded targets for the period.

"I am delighted to be able to use my wealth of experience in the construction industry to help forge a new strategy for attracting business to North Yorkshire. We already have great strength in IT, healthcare, biomanufacturing, food and drink and environmental technology. We must build on this with an emphasis on developing infrastructure that will attract and provide for the sustainable development of businesses in these sectors. This means modern methods of contracting, affordable property and the development of buildings which offer low running costs and long term environmental sustainability,'' said Brian.

The new initiative to attract businesses to North Yorkshire, in line with Regional Development Agency, Yorkshire Forward's strategy of investment in infrastructure and co-operation across the region, was praised by Tom Riordan, Deputy Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward: "Teamwork and co-operation are obviously crucial to the success of any successful marketing strategy and we therefore welcome the work of york-england.com. York and North Yorkshire are rightly regarded as jewels in our region's crown and it is vital that we maximise their full potential."

"We have been working hard and smart on the way we attract investment to Yorkshire and Humber. The development of the right infrastructure is crucial to attracting new businesses to our region and we welcome the new york-england.com initiative.''

North Yorkshire already has a range of exciting new sites under development including:

  • Vangarde: A planned £45 million high-tech development comprising 500,000 sq ft (152,000 sq m) of offices and laboratories on the outskirts of York. The development will provide low-energy accommodation, using renewable materials where possible.
  • Sherburn Enterprise Park: A major site between Leeds and York close to the A1 for logistics, packaging and food and drink companies, it provides a full range of prime warehouse/distribution property from 153 sq m (1550sq ft) up to 62,000 sq m (665,000 sq ft)
  • Leeming Bar: An industrial estate in the centre of a growing number of food and drink companies located along the A1 corridor.
  • Colburn Business Park: A 25 acre (10 hectare) site, just two miles from the A1 designed to accommodate IT and Digital businesses.
  • Springboard Business Centre: A novel development with strong sustainability credentials based in Stokesley Industrial Estate, the Centre is aimed at providing facilities for start-up businesses and covers 9,200 sq ft (916 sq m).

In addition to these sites we have a number of significant locations that will soon be ready for development, including Phase II of the Scarborough Business park (75 acres or 30 hectares), and Olympia Park at Selby, which will be a massive 133 acre (54hectare) development.

For further information these and other construction projects in North Yorkshire see www.york-england.com