They were shown round the region by UKTI representatives and met senior executives from the area’s leading engineering companies.
The group also took a tour round Millbrook’s facilities, including the high-speed test track and gruelling off-road course.
They spoke to and heardpresentations from some of the South East Midlands’ automotive, engineering and high performance technology companies, including Cranfield University, Transport Systems Catapult, Prodrive, Millbrook and Nissan.
SEMLEP chief executive Daniel Mouawad said: “It is exhilarating to welcome this UKTI delegation of investors to our area and to introduce these businesses to fellow high performance companies from our area who have had a unique opportunity to forge new international relationships.”
The visit was particularly ahead of Sunday’s British Grand Prix. After leaving Millbrook, the delegation visited high performance specialists Racelogic and Hartridge, both based in Buckingham, before heading to Northamptonshire where they met with several leading companies including Frost EV and Far Axiom, ending their tour at Silverstone itself.
Millbrook chief executive Alex Burns said: “Millbrook’s ongoing strategy is focused on raising awareness and building relationships with international prospects, and today’s event was particularly important in supporting our engagement activities with key foreign companies.
“These new connections will enable us to grow our customer base and service an even wider range of clients in the automotive, transport, petrochemical, defence and security industries.”
Growth Minister James Wharton, expressing his support for the event, said: “Local Enterprise Partnerships are driving growth right across the country and I congratulate SEMLEP for creating such a great opportunity for investors from around the globe to see the skills and opportunities available across the whole region.
"They are showcasing the best of British industry.”
