Plans have been put forward for a new International Strategy for Sheffield, following two years of work including the adoption of the Partner City Policy and ongoing work to establish international links. This was demonstrated recently with a Sheffield delegation visiting sister city, Pittsburgh, last month.
As England’s fourth largest city, Sheffield is a world-leader in many business sectors. From having significant advanced manufacturing capabilities, to a flourishing tech sector, as well as a thriving cultural scene and a global reputation as the Outdoor City.
Last year, a new Growth Plan for the city was adopted. The ten-year plan outlines the city’s plans to drive forward economic growth and improve the lives of people living, working and doing business in the city.
The Plan highlights the importance of Sheffield taking its place as a city that is ‘Global, Green and Growing’ and focuses on leveraging the city’s strong economic assets, including its world-class universities, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and innovation ecosystem, to attract global investment, promote economic growth, and enhance Sheffield’s reputation on the international stage.
To achieve this, collaboration with global partners and support for new businesses with international growth potential is key.
On Wednesday (19 February 2025), at a Strategy and Resources Committee meeting held by Sheffield City Council, plans to develop a new international strategy were approved, aiming to support the Sheffield Growth Plan and other city ambitions.
Councillor Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council and Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee, said: “Sheffield is global, green and growing. We have world-leading strengths in many sectors, from advanced manufacturing to health technology, cultural industries and a growing tech sector.
“We have big plans to grow these sectors and international engagement, and growth is key to this.
“We were able showcase this with our recent trip to our sister city Pittsburgh, a city we share many similarities with. Sheffield and Pittsburgh are two cities with a proud industrial heritage, both looking forward and making plans for a more prosperous future. The trip was a huge success and has set the foundations for more international collaboration and knowledge sharing going forward.”
In January, Cllr Tom Hunt, and Chief Executive, Kate Josephs, along with a handful of Sheffield-based businesses travelled to Pittsburgh in the USA. Sheffield and Pittsburgh have been Sister Cities since 1980 and the aim of the trip was to strengthen ties, share knowledge and explore future collaboration.
During the three-day trip they met with more than 16 organisations and around 50 representatives in total, from government officials to businesses and academia.
Like Sheffield, over the last decade, Pittsburgh has focused on commercialisation of research, business growth and innovation.
The city also benefits from having some strong, sector-based organisations providing opportunities to collaborate and innovate, together with advocacy and lobbying on behalf of their members.
The visit highlighted the potential for the respective Councils, academic institutions and regional bodies to collaborate and share best practice in a range of areas. Education, response to climate change, urban regeneration and addressing homelessness are just some of the ideas being considered.
Learnings from the trip will be used to help inform the new International Strategy for Sheffield, which is to be developed this year.
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of Sheffield twinning with the city of Bochum in Germany. Over the past two years, the two cities have renewed their relationship, and plans are in the pipeline for the cities to collaborate on projects for the benefit of their residents.
To celebrate the anniversary, a programme of events is also in the works for later this year.
The strategy will focus on developing international activities with priority organisations, identifying international markets to focus on for trade and investment opportunities, as well as providing a framework for international engagement and activities going forward.
The strategy aims to boost trade and investment, support Sheffield’s visitor economy, support the city’s universities, nurture and reinvigorate existing civic links and collaborate with principal partner cities on challenges faced.
It will be presented at a Strategy and Resources Committee later this year and include consultation with partners.
