Huddersfield aims to become a leading UK hub for health innovation and business growth, showcasing its potential to a global audience this week.
Huddersfield Unlimited, Kirklees Council, and the University of Huddersfield hosted a sold-out event at the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) 2024. The event, “Huddersfield: the Future of Health Innovation,” highlighted the significant investment opportunities in the town, focusing on the National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC) and the West Yorkshire Investment Zone.
UKREiiF, held in Leeds for the second consecutive year, attracted over 6,000 investors, funders, and developers from around the world. The Huddersfield event drew more than 150 stakeholders from the public and private sectors, including investors, developers, and health businesses, to explore the town’s opportunities and foster connections.
Huddersfield is ripe with investment potential, centered around the Investment Zone along the Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor and the NHIC. Announced in November last year, the Investment Zone represents a £160 million funding commitment over 10 years, focusing on health, wellbeing, and digital industries.
Clr Graham Turner, Kirklees Council’s Cabinet member for finance and regeneration, expressed pride in the area’s economic growth. “Despite current challenges, Kirklees has one of the highest economic growth rates in the country, and the highest in West Yorkshire,” he said. Turner emphasized the importance of continuing this growth trend.
The event also celebrated the Government’s recent investment in the local health industry, which will benefit Huddersfield, Kirklees, and the whole of West Yorkshire. Innovations in healthcare from local businesses, like Paxman Scalp Cooling, were showcased.
Turner praised the University of Huddersfield’s NHIC for its role in putting Kirklees on the map and Huddersfield Unlimited for championing local business and investment. He called for a renewed commitment to regeneration, supporting industries, and innovation to secure a brighter future for Kirklees.
Turner highlighted the need for long-term thinking in the current economic landscape, aiming to create a resilient and thriving borough. He believes that the growing portfolio of support and investment will make Kirklees an excellent place for businesses to grow.
“Our efforts now will create springboards for our local economy,” Turner said. “By helping our businesses and investments thrive, we will channel that strength and success back into our towns for future generations.”
