MIPIM - City in focus: Cardiff

Kellie Beirne, CEO of Cardiff Capital Region

Kellie Beirne

What do you hope to achieve at MIPIM this year?

MIPIM provides an opportunity to have targeted, high-value conversations with institutional investors that simply wouldn't happen at home.  We have an investment zone secured from the UK government, so our conversations, particularly around the office accommodation potential, have been positive. People are hearing about our fiscal levers, so understanding we can offer different opportunities, and we are having really engaging conversations.  
The other reason we are here is to be part of the UK cities community - we are co-located with the other key UK cities here at MIPIM.  Given the new UK industrial strategy, we understand the need to collaborate and forge new connections; ‘hunting as a pack’ is a mantra we’ve adopted. 

What makes your area a compelling investment proposition?

Cardiff Capital Region offers unique assets that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.  Most notably, we are home to the world's only compound semiconductor cluster.   That drives demand for real estate, which is highly specific and supports a wider supply chain ecosystem.
Our investment zone is focused on bringing more manufacturing capability to our region, driving R & D intensity and supply chain.
We are focused on things which are granular and distinctive and recognise that meaningful transition is achieved with public and private sectors working together with shared purpose and vision.  

What is the biggest challenge your area faces?

The biggest challenge is the quality and affordability of the energy supply.  Many of our industries are capital-intensive and therefore energy-intensive. We are actively working to address this, engaging with partners such as National Grid, exploring off-grid solutions, and identifying ways at a local and national level to alleviate the pressures. 

What project/s in your area are you most excited about?

We have acquired a former coal-fired power station at Aberthaw, and are presently exploring its transformation with the potential to place some of the residual fuel into circular economy projects. This could help with tide lagoon capability along the Severn Estuary, stimulating that domestic energy capacity.  
Imperial Park in Newport is already home to world-leading semiconductor companies.  We plan to expand this into a full technology park, cementing our position as a global hub for manufacturing and technology. 
Cardiff Parkway, a brand new mainline station which links with Cardiff Crossrail.  This will improve the regional connectivity and support our wider regeneration ambitions around Cardiff Central. 
These projects reflect activity right across the region, from the central cities and coastal belt and up into the northern valleys

Eddie Roche