KIRAN BIRRING
Nottingham,UK
Summary
Proactive senior inward investment professional with experience leading foreign direct investment (FDI) and international engagement at regional level across the public and private sectors. Strong commercial judgement with a track record in investor development, complex pipeline management, and supporting high-value investment decisions. Politically astute and delivery-focused, with credibility across senior stakeholders.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Head of Inward Investment (acting)
EMCCA – Chesterfield
2021.05 - 2026.03
- Transferred into EMCCA via TUPE from D2N2 LEP (June 2024) and progressed through successive promotions, from Investor Development Coordinator (May 2021) to Investor Development Lead (Dec 2024) and Head of Inward Investment (acting – June 2025) reflecting increased responsibility and performance.
- Lead and be accountable for EMCCA’s inward investment and international function, setting direction for FDI, investment promotion and global engagement aligned to mayoral priorities and the East Midlands Growth Plan.
- Oversight of a region-wide inward investment pipeline spanning multiple priority sectors and strategic sites.
- Oversee the full lifecycle of inward investment projects, from enquiry through to facilitation, landing and post-investment account management.
- Lead investor hosting and engagement, including site visits, senior-level briefings and coordinated investor programmes to support location decision-making and project conversion.
- Develop and promote evidence-based investment propositions across priority sectors, strategic sites and innovation assets.
- Lead delivery of Invest East Midlands as EMCCA’s regional inward investment partnership.
- Act as the senior regional representative to global investors, central government and overseas networks, including leading investor engagement, hosting delegations and international missions.
- Convene and coordinate a region-wide investment partnership, aligning local authorities, universities, developers and national agencies around a unified investment offer.
- Build and manage a pipeline of investable opportunities, aligning propositions with national programmes including DBT and the Office for Investment.
- Provide senior advice, governance and performance oversight, driving continuous improvement and a high-quality investor experience.
Project Support
Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham
Nottingham
2021.05 - 2026.03
- Supported programme delivery and governance through the development of business systems, processes and integrated reporting.
- Chaired project team meetings and managed schedules, workloads and deadlines, alongside budget monitoring and financial reporting to maintain delivery control and momentum.
Career Break, Nottingham
Nottingham
2014.06 - 2018.04
UK Account Manager
Press Association, Nottingham
Nottingham
2014.03 - 2014.06
- Three-month contract covering sabbatical leave to account manage clients and identify opportunity in the UK market.
UK Account Manager
Avery Dennison
2010.01 - 2014.03
- Managed end-to-end print production for key retail accounts in a fast-paced environment.
- Owned design briefs from specification through to final delivery.
- Coordinated creative agencies, offshore sites, and external suppliers.
- Delivered to tight deadlines while supporting client development.
International Sales Manager
Juice Images Ltd, London
London
2006.09 - 2009.12
- Built and managed an international distributor network for a start-up business.
- Led business development and account management across 140 global partners.
- Negotiated distribution and licence agreements at CEO level.
- Developed joint business plans and sales strategies to grow market share.
- Managed budgets and a team of four across invoicing, design, and data management.
Region Manager - Channel Sales
Getty Images, London
London
2000.06 - 2006.08
- Promoted from UK Account Manager to International Sales Manager ahead of the acquisition by Getty Images (2005).
- Managed key international partners outside North America with a $3m sales target, delivering 15% year-on-year growth.
- Led partner management across emerging markets, working with local sales and marketing teams to drive revenue.
- Developed and delivered regional activity plans to increase market visibility and competitiveness.
- Analysed competitor activity and shaped commercial strategies to protect and grow market share.
- Drove new business through existing and new channel partners.
Education
BA (Hons) - Law and Politics
Skills
- Strategic communicator
- Commercially curious
- Delivers at pace under pressure
- Emotionally intelligent stakeholder leadership
- Collaborative, high-standards leadership
Websites
Certification
- Leadership Coaching
- APM PFQ
- PRINCE2
- Consultative Sales (DBT)
- European Communication Sales Management
- Leadership & Management (ILM)
- Tender & Bid Writing
- Time Management
- Mental Health First Aider
LANGUAGES
Punjabi (native)
References
References available on request
INTERESTS
Reading, food and cooking, travel, fitness
Timeline
Head of Inward Investment (acting)
EMCCA – Chesterfield
2021.05 - 2026.03
Project Support
Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham
2021.05 - 2026.03
Career Break, Nottingham
2014.06 - 2018.04
UK Account Manager
Press Association, Nottingham
2014.03 - 2014.06
UK Account Manager
Avery Dennison
2010.01 - 2014.03
International Sales Manager
Juice Images Ltd, London
2006.09 - 2009.12
Region Manager - Channel Sales
Getty Images, London
2000.06 - 2006.08