'This is Rochdale' encouraging investment and pride in the borough

Photo: Kerry Hargreaves Photography

Keynote speaker, economist and best-selling author Paul Ormerod

'This is Rochdale' held the first of a series of breakfast business events for members and potential members of its Rochdale Ambassadors scheme at Rochdale Town Hall last week.

'This is Rochdale' is an independent organisation that promotes Rochdale as a place for business. Its Ambassador Programme supports Rochdale’s strategy to encourage inward investment, stimulate local pride and attract talent, by utilising the national networking activities of well-connected business people from across the region.

Rochdale Borough Council chief executive Steve Rumbelow gave an update on the progress of developments across the borough, Mike Smith, partner at Genr8, talked specifically about the new £80m Rochdale Riverside retail and leisure scheme, and keynote speaker, economist and best-selling author Paul Ormerod, gave an insight into artificial intelligence and its potential economic impact.

Mr Ormerod, who was born and raised in Rochdale, completed his undergraduate economic studies at Christ's College, Cambridge and his postgraduate studies at St Catherine's College, Oxford, for which he was awarded a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in economics. Upon graduation he worked as a forecaster at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.

Paul Dixon, the new 'This is Rochdale' chairman and a partner at Molesworths solicitors, said: “There is plenty to shout about in Rochdale from a business perspective, with a great location, great transport links, excellent property and a very strong workforce. The role of This is Rochdale is to cut through the noise and get that message across to people who want to listen.

“The best people for that are our ambassadors, business people who are already working and thriving in Rochdale, and who often work and travel outside the region. The event was really a thank you to them and a way to engage them further, and was also a very useful and informative morning.

"As This is Rochdale, we want to really establish our identity and develop some momentum. Our ambassadors are crucial to that and this was the first of a series of events especially for them.”

Mr Dixon is keen to outline the ambitions for 'This is Rochdale' over the coming months and years.

He said: “As a board we want to put Rochdale at the front of conversations outside the borough. That means engaging with organisations such as the Northern Powerhouse and the Department for International Trade. Ultimately, it means attracting inward investment to Rochdale.

"We welcome businesses to Rochdale and the Rochdale Development Agency is here to offer complete assistance to any business wishing to relocate or expand in the area.”

This is Rochdale is 'This is Rochdale' supported by Rochdale Borough Council and the Rochdale Development Agency (RDA).