Northern Powerhouse Developments wins "Enterprise Of The Year 2017"

The UK's first Foreign Direct Investment Awards (FDI Awards) took place in London, last night, on 22nd March 2017. 

The FDI Awards seeks to raise awareness of the UK's attractiveness as an investment destination and to recognise the contribution of the UK and international professional and advisory service firms, individuals and agencies in supporting UK inward investment.

The Rt Hon Greg Hands, Minister for the Department for International Trade had agreed to be keynote speaker. Unfortunately, his duties called for him to attend a last minute overseas meeting, however he was able pre-record his opening statement confirming his support for the FDI awards and all those involved nominated and celebrated.

The awards are hosted by InvestUK Ltd, a leading FDI advisory firm.

FDI plays a hugely important role in supporting growth across all parts of the UK and is a significant contributor to net job creation. Across the country, 2,213 inward investment projects were secured in 2015 to 2016, an 11% increase on the previous year, according to the Department for International Trade. This led to around 116,000 jobs being created or safeguarded - the second highest number on record. Drawing on information from EY's UK Attractiveness Survey 2016, the Financial Times' FDI Report 2016 and OECD's FDI in Figures (2016), the UK ranks first in Europe for FDI projects in total and for FDI projects from high-growth markets. Only the United States and China receive more FDI. Based on current projections, DIT expects that post-Brexit inward investment is set to meet or exceed 2015 and 2016 levels with extra investment of more than ￡15 billion worth of foreign direct investment in sectors including property development, infrastructure and renewable energy.

The FDI Awards were presented to those individuals, companies and organisations who, by their efforts, have facilitated the remarkable success story that is FDI into the United Kingdom.

The award categories were:

·  Promotions and Marketing Innovation

·  Best Financial Services and Forex

·  Global Mobility Service

·  Advisory Firm of the Year 

·  Immigration Specialist Firm or Practitioner of the Year

·  Foreign Investment Advisor of the Year

·  FDI Deal of the Year

·  Enterprise of the Year

·  Chairman's Award for Best Investment of the Year

All nominees for the awards reflected the diversity of the UK FDI ecosystem and cover the legal, accountancy, private equity, property and education sectors in the UK and internationally, a number of UK small to medium size enterprises (SMEs) as well as government regional development agencies including the Manchester inward investment agency, MIDAS, and Scottish Enterprise.

The judges for the FDI Awards 2017 were:

·  Rupert Gather, Chairman of InvestUK

·  Clare Pearson, Chair, British Chamber of Commerce, China

·  Nicola Horlick, CEO, Money&Co

·  Rupert Hambro CBE, Chairman, Hambro Perks

·  Peter O'Kane, Chairman, D Group and British Expertise

·  Pam Jackson, PwC ME Regional Deals Leader

·  Eric van der Kleij, Entrepreneur/Co-founder of Entiq

·  Sir Eric Peacock, Chairman Peacock Foundation

·  Trevor Barton, Executive Director of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce

The event was sponsored by InvestUK, Dolfin Financial, Zedra, GEA Network, Gaw Capital, China-Britain Business Council, and the Hurun Report.

Rupert Gather, Chairman of InvestUK, said,

"We are delighted to be supporting the UK's first and only FDI Awards. These awards will raise awareness of the vital contribution of the UK's community of FDI advisers and the leading overseas businesses and investment firms that are providing their capital for UK companies and projects. The UK is Europe's leading destination for both foreign investment and high value immigration and we have a lot to celebrate." .