New director appointed to lead inward investment agency

Investment agency, Invest Newcastle has strengthened its team with two senior appointments.

Jennifer Hartley has been appointed as Director for Invest Newcastle, a service delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI).

After working for NGI back in 2012 for 3 years as Senior Inward Investment Manager, she brings more than 12 years’ trade and investment experience to an established team, who are based in offices on the quayside.

In addition, existing team member and experienced manager, Matt Bratton has also been promoted to Senior Investment Manager.

Jennifer has joined from Newcastle City Council where she led and developed their Digital and Tech sector strategy. Prior to that she has held several trade and investment roles across both the public and private sector, including her previous role at Invest Newcastle.

Highly experienced in the field of inward investment, she has previously worked as an International Trade Advisor for the Department for International Trade (DIT) and headed up the Japanese Inward Investment desk at the former regional development agency (One North East) remotely managing the office in Tokyo.

She has worked on several high-profile projects that have brought significant investment into the region. Some notable highlights include supporting companies such as Nissan, Hitachi, Ubisoft and Mkodo.

In her new role she will drive Newcastle’s ambition to attract new business, investment and jobs, supporting indigenous businesses to grow and ultimately to help deliver private-sector-led growth.

Matt Bratton who has been instrumental in attracting new businesses to our region has recently been promoted to Senior Investment Manager. In his new role he will be responsible for coordinating inward investment activity across key sectors, with his extensive knowledge of the city’s expertise in ageing, data and urban sustainability.

He is an advocate for the region nationally and internationally, focusing on the digital, tech, life sciences and healthcare sectors.

Invest Newcastle is a service delivered by NewcastleGateshead Initiative on behalf of Newcastle, to attract and secure new investment and jobs for the city.They deliver a range of highly targeted activities and bespoke services to attract and support potential and existing investors.

Since it was established in 2013, it has supported more than 130 new businesses to relocate or expand, helping to create and safeguard more than 7,500 jobs.

To find out more about Invest Newcastle visit www.investnewcastle.com.