Mobility, media, IT and creative industries are all important sectors that are integral to future growth of businesses globally. As chair of Nottingham Means Business’s Germany interest group – it is clear to me that these sectors represent the strengths of both Germany and Nottingham.
Throughout 2014 we have built fantastic relationships with potential business partners across Germany, in particular Karlsruhe – a city that like Nottingham, has enormous potential for trade and investment.
Last October, Nottingham Means Business held ‘Oktoberfest’, an event that worked to celebrate German culture in Nottingham. Nottingham already has strong links with Germany and this event worked to reflect and look forward to the future of this ever-strengthening relationship.
Over 100 participants came to the event, which celebrated a 45-year bond between Karlsruhe and Nottingham, including Dr Frank Mentrup, the Oberbürgermeister of Karlsruhe – who visited Nottingham as part of the celebrations. The event worked to acknowledge the twinned cities’ similarities, discussing the opportunities in areas such as: science, economics and culture available in both Nottingham and Germany and their potential for growth.
We are continuing to work closely with University of Nottingham, UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Nottingham City Council and the DNCC to build and strengthen relationships with Germany – which will continue over the course of 2015.
By working alongside these organisations, we have been able to get German advisors in front of local firms and vice versa, to talk about opportunities between our two countries and the dynamics involved in creating stronger links.
Our goal throughout 2014 was to increase Nottingham’s visibility in Germany and raise awareness of our thriving sectors. Events such as Oktoberfest and also a dinner we hosted in London, have given us the opportunity to promote both Nottingham and the East Midlands to high profile business figures in the UK German business community. Having honourable guests, such as the Oberbürgermeister of Karlsruhe join us here in Nottingham is fantastic, showing how strong our ties to Germany are.
In 2015 we plan on returning to Germany – working closely with organisations such as UKTI that can help us shape strong and long-term relationships with our German counterparts.