Mills & Reeve welcomes Chinese delegation to Yorkshire

Organised by the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, the delegation was led by Dr Sun Dali, Consul General, Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China. Chinese companies represented included the Bank of China, Hainan Airlines, Air China and Wang Dynasty Group. 

While visiting Mills & Reeve in Leeds, delegates were introduced to Yorkshire businesses and organisations with links to China and heard presentations from the University of Bradford and the UK arm of Chinese electrical goods manufacturer, Hisense, which has its headquarters in Leeds. 

Diane Simpson, director of Pudsey-based A W Hainsworth also presented to the delegates. The specialist textile manufacturer, which began manufacturing in Yorkshire in 1783 and whose customers include HM The Queen and the House of Lords, supplies a range of fabrics to China including snooker cloth and piano felt. The country accounts for around 20 per cent of A W Hainsworth’s turnover. 

Mills & Reeve has strong links with China and has worked on many deals for Chinese companies including advising a Hong Kong listed company on the acquisition of three UK private schools with an aggregate consideration of £40m and acting for the management team of Weetabix on the acquisition of 60 per cent of its share capital by a major food company in China for an enterprise value of £1.2bn. 

Philip Way, head of the Leeds office of Mills & Reeve, said: “We were honoured to welcome the delegation to the office and to share the many things the region has to offer Chinese businesses looking to invest in Yorkshire. We look forward to forging even greater links in the future. 

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: “Leeds City Region represents a compelling investment opportunity and we hope that the Chinese businesses who joined the delegation will continue to invest in the Northern Powerhouse and look at the significant opportunities in our region. 

“Earlier this year, I saw first-hand the incredible pace of development in China. I want businesses in Leeds City Region to seize the opportunities in this market where quality British goods and services are highly valued.”