SPEARHEADING DEVELOPMENT
Launch of BRADFORD Property Forum
15 March 2007
A
new initiative – Bradford Property Forum – has been formed to help
future investors and developers maximise ongoing investment
opportunities in the city.
Acting as a guardian of quality,
Bradford Property Forum will consult with new and existing investment
and development partners to bring forward a range of projects, improve
standards and build on the £2 billion investment opportunities already
in existence in the city centre.
The Forum is also tasked with
promoting the city and its surrounding districts, encouraging
networking opportunities and improving public-private sector
collaborations in Bradford’s property sector.
A steering
committee has been established comprising representatives from the
local council, chamber of commerce, academia and Bradford Centre
Regeneration, the urban regeneration company. Key developers and
private sector organisations such as Magellan Properties, Mi7
Developments, New Mason Properties, Robinson Design Group, Asquith
Properties, Urban Splash and Westfield have also come aboard as founder
members of the Forum.
Committee meetings will take place every
eight weeks chaired by Harold Robinson of Magellan Properties. Mr
Robinson said: “Bradford’s property market has changed exponentially in
the last few years with one of the largest regeneration undertakings
seen in the UK. The time is right to bring together a dedicated team of
people in property to ensure that future developments are encouraged to
come forward in a way which will benefit the entire city.
“In
time, we’re confident that the Bradford Property Forum will play a
crucial role in transforming the Bradford landscape and raising the
city’s profile in the wider property industry.”
As part of its marketing remit, Bradford Property Forum is officially launched at MIPIM 2007.
Sandy
Needham, Chief Executive of Bradford Chamber, said: “The Forum
harnesses the commitment, drive and energy of the property
professionals locally. Co-operation, a focus on quality and attracting
the best talent to Bradford will feature in the activities of the Forum
and the Bradford Chamber is delighted to be involved.”
Tony
Reeves, Chief Executive of Bradford Council, added: “The establishment
of the Forum is great news for the ongoing regeneration of the city and
the wider district.
"We have already attracted a number of high
profile developers to the city and we welcome their commitment to
ensuring that high standards and quality are a fundamental part of all
property and development that happens across the district.
"Building future growth and prosperity in the Bradford district is key to achieving truly great and sustainable regeneration."
BAKER TILLY back in BRADFORD
After leaving BRADFORD several years ago, leading accountancy firm Baker Tilly once again have a strong presence in the area.
A merger with leading independent practice, Horwath Clark Whitehill (Yorkshire) LLP, means Baker Tilly will now have 24 partners and over 200 staff in West Yorkshire.
The new Baker Tilly office in Shipley will be complemented by a second BRADFORD area office in Keighley. Along with their Leeds office this will make Baker Tilly the largest accountancy group outside the Big 4 in West Yorkshire.
BRADFORDFSi is delighted to see the return of Baker Tilly, which is such a respected name in the sector. Their previous departure had been a blow to confidence. Having them back is another positive sign that the financial sector in the city is growing once again.
Kevin OConnor - Managing Partner
BRIGHT FUTURE IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
A BRADFORDFSi seminar to attract new talent to the financial sector in the city was a resounding success (16.04.2008).
Top business graduates attended the session hosted by BRADFORD School of Management.
David Cubitt, MD of IFA Beaumont Robinson and BRADFORDFSi Chief Executive plus Phil Dibb of financial training and compliance consultancy DWC made presentations along with David Dixon (Ebor Asset Management). A lively discussion followed. David Dixon took the whole thing a stage further inviting four students to tour his offices and treated them to lunch.
"We are fortunate to have a World renowned School of Management, teaming with talent, right on our doorstep. The job of BRADFORDFSI is to open a few doors and make sure some of these great minds get into our thriving financial businesses" enthused David Cubitt. "Lets hope this is the first of many such sessions."
One voice for Yorkshire IFAs
Unlike other financial professions in the region, Independent Financial Advisers have no strong industry body to represent them. Yorkshire IFA Forum hopes to correct this.
Besides getting the profession speaking with one voice, improving training and creating new business opportunities are main aims.
The forum is closely associated with Leeds Financial Services Initiative, BRADFORDFSi and York Professionals. Ties with national industry bodies have been forged.
Dr. Peter Williams, the forum's Chairman of Education, hopes to introduce new financial service degrees into the region's colleges and universities.
Read the launch press release:
Download:
Yorkshire IFA Forum.doc
ANOTHER SUCCESS STORY FOR BRADFORD
Beaumonts - one of the region's leading insurance brokers, is going from strength to strength.
Having out-grown it's previous premises, the group wanted to remain in the BRADFORD area and continue to expand. It's another success story for BRADFORD financial services. At new offices close to the M606, Beaumonts now employs 80 experienced people and is turning over in excess of £5M.
"It's our people who make Beaumonts different. They are the ones who deliver exceptional service. Genuine, honest, committed, that's what we promise and deliver".
They added "our year round, intensive service creates the real difference between us and the more limited contributions of many insurance brokers".
STRONGER TOGETHER
BRADFORDFSi now has a seat at Leeds Financial Services Initiative.
Recognising that the twin cities are stronger when they act together, Leeds Financial Services has asked BRADFORDFSi Chief Exec David Cubitt to join their steering group.
David is very excited about the possibilities this opens up. He says "I've been in contact with John Ansbro (Chief Exec LFSI) for many years. There is a mutual respect and admiration. He and his team have achieved so much for their city. John has always been very welcoming and honest. He recognises that to grow the finance sector further, success needs to open out to the whole City Region."
"Leeds and Bradford and York together have a very compelling offer. Each is distinct and each complements the other. The City Region is already the largest and most successful financial service area outside London. Working in cooperation we can all reach our full potential".
EMPLOYER LED BODY TO TRANSFORM ADULT SKILLS
Transforming adult skills issues is a big goal and the new BRADFORD Employment and Skills Board aims to achieve it.
Building skills is a cornerstone of the BRADFORDFSi. Already strong links are established with the BRADFORD School of Management. Peter Williams of the Chartered Insurance Institute has been seconded by our sister organisation - Yorkshire IFA Forum to introduce new financial service degrees into the region's colleges and universities.
Now BRADFORDFSi Chief Executive David Cubitt is representing the interests of the financial sector as a founding member of the BRADFORD Employment and Skills Board.
"BRADFORD Council's new Chief Exec Tony Reeves sees improving skills as his number one priority. This properly funded employer led body has some big responsibilities and it seems to fit perfectly with what BRADFORDFSi aims to do and importantly is already doing" stated David.
"All our buses have come at once - in just a few months some very big hitters have shown real commitment to this vital campaign of ours. With a 3 year funded plan, I think the Skills Board will add greatly to this existing momentum".
Download:
Skills_Board_Info.pdf
31 July 2008 Yorkshire Post
Yorkshire's financial services industry received a £3.2m boost yesterday as part of a three-year plan to support the region's economy.
The money will be used to promote the financial and business services sector in the Leeds City Region through the Leeds Financial Services Initiative (LFSI).
LFSI will work with York Professionals and BRADFORD Financial Services Initiative, to ensure the growth of the industry benefits the wider region.
Read in full...
Download:
Yorks_Post_310708.jpg
01 August 2008 Telegraph and Argus
Bradford is to play a key role in efforts to retain and create more jobs in financial services in the district.
David Cubitt, chief executive of Bradford Financial Services Initiative, has welcomed new funding for a campaign to promote the district as a growing base for financial services.
Read in full...
Download:
TandA_010808.jpg
08 January 2009 Money Marketing
YORKSHIRE IFA FORUM, sister initiative of BradfordFSi, has made a great start to the New Year.
A new IFA Degree course at Bradford School of Management has been announced. The YIFA FORUM has pulled together national IFA and skills bodies, Yorkshire IFA firms and the School of Management, to hammer out a new course which will grow and retain qualified talent in the area.
Significantly local IFAs will offer employment for these graduates as part of the new degree offer. A perfect example of our BUILD SKILLS campaign in action: forge business, academia links; increase skills levels; retain great minds in Bradford.
Read in full...
Download:
Yifa_Degree.pdf
BRADFORD School of Management web site has more details. Follow the link...
