South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard is heading to the USA to promote the region on an international stage.
The Mayor will be working with 40 other mayors from around the world, as part of a prestigious programme for leaders run by Harvard University.
While in New York, he will hold a series of meetings with businesses and investors to strengthen ties with the US for trade and investment opportunities.
Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “South Yorkshire deserves to be shouted about on an international stage and I can’t wait to show the world what we’re capable of.
“We are home to world-class universities, an advanced aerospace cluster and businesses working at the cutting edge of manufacturing and low carbon technology, and I will use this opportunity to highlight our successes, placing South Yorkshire at the heart of any future expansion plans.
“We have unending talent and limitless potential, we’re the ideal place to invest in, and I’ll make that case to future partners in the United States.”
Every year the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative works with 40 Mayors from around the world, bringing them together to strengthen their capabilities and discuss responses to shared issues like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. A collaboration between Bloomberg Philanthropies, Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, it was established in 2017.
Mayor Oliver Coppard continued: “This programme offers unrivalled opportunities for us here in South Yorkshire to build relationships, share information and learn from other regions across the globe.
“There’s never been a more important time to shout about South Yorkshire, and I will take every opportunity to be an advocate for our communities wherever I can.”
Professor Koen Lambers, president & vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, said: “We are very pleased to see South Yorkshire’s Mayor represent our region internationally. The USA remains an important strategic partner for the University in terms of R&D, academic partnerships and student recruitment and exchange.”
For the trade mission, the Mayor will be accompanied by SYMCA’s director of trade & investment Rachel Clark, and AMRC’s head of external affairs, Simon Collingwood.
The Mayor’s flights and accommodation for the Bloomberg Harvard programme have been paid for by Bloomberg. All other costs have been covered by SYMCA.
