A CONFERENCE of some of the City's leading fund managers is to be held in the North-East.

Analysts from stock broking and investment firm Wise Speke have attracted more than 40 pensions and investment managers to the North-East to find out why the region's public limited companies (PLCs) can be seen as a safe bet for investors.

The team of analysts from the firm's institutional department, which specialises in researching North-East quoted companies, will provide an in-depth analysis of their performance and offer predictions for many of the region's leading companies.

Graeme Summers, a director at Wise Speke, said: " The North-East boasts a diverse range of home grown PLCs, operating across a range of sectors, including property, manufacturing, retail and leisure.

"These well-established companies offer sound investment opportunities for pensions and investment fund managers and we are confident that the local knowledge we will offer our guests will increase the visibility of the region's PLCs within the City, which will have a positive impact on the North-East economy.

"We are delighted that we have been able to attract such a large delegation of leading fund managers to the region."

The Institutional Conference will be held at Wise Speke, in Newcastle, tomorrow.

Founded in Newcastle in 1903, Wise Speke employs more than 210 people at its Newcastle and Teesside offices and will celebrate its centenary next year.