Meet the Team
Mike Denby
Director of Inward Investment & Place Marketing
Mike Denby plays a key role in the regeneration of commercial development sites across the city and county, attracting investment from outside the area and supporting job creation.
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He also plays a part in the external promotion of the city as a leading investment destination. Mike has more than 19 years of marketing experience and a decade working as the lead for inward investment in Wakefield where he led teams which secured up to £44 million of funding to develop commercial sites, and oversaw the building of Wakefield’s first innovation centre.
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He also has experience developing policy to stimulate carbon reduction, encourage strategic investment and increase business start-ups.
Pankaj Mistry
Inward Investment Manager
Pankaj Mistry is a dedicated Inward Investment Manager with over 20 years of experience in economic development and inward investment across the region. He has advised a wide range of local, national, and international businesses on setting up, relocating, and expanding.
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He has supported major investments such as IBM, Octopus Energy, and PPL/PRS, along with smaller businesses relocate to the area. Previously, Pankaj was Economic Growth & Investment Manager at the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), where he helped secure UK Enterprise Zone status for MIRA Technology Park.
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At the LLEP, he was also sector lead for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering. Pankaj holds a BA (Hons) and a postgraduate diploma in Town Planning, which supports his work on property development and regeneration projects.
Oliver Whittaker
Inward Investment & Economic Growth Manager
Oliver Whittaker is an experienced Inward Investment and Economic Growth Manager at Invest in Leicester, with a strong track record of supporting and attracting businesses, investment, jobs, skills, and regeneration across regions in England.
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He has led and managed multi-million-pound foreign and domestic investments into Leicester and Leicestershire, helping to attract and retain businesses and employment.
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Oliver has delivered projects to support business start-up, growth, and resilience, including grants, mentoring, training, and investment activities. He has also supported partners with policy, funding bids, future growth needs, and regeneration priorities.
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Get in touch
To learn more about how Invest in Leicester can support your business with free & impartial advice, get in touch via email or call 0116 454 1220.
You can reach the team at: enquiries@investinleicester.com
