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Business North to hold first Northern Powerhouse meeting

Business North, a new group comprising senior industry leaders from across northern England, will hold its inaugural meeting later today (Monday) where creating economic growth across northern England will be at the top of the agenda.

The group will aim to provide ideas, challenge and support for the Government’s Northern Powerhouse agenda. One of its first tasks will be to respond to the newly created Transport for the North proposals.

The establishment of the CBI-backed Business North group reflects industry leaders’ desire to play a more active part in helping the Northern Powerhouse progress.

Generating greater prosperity across the North will create a more meaningful contribution to UK GDP and international competitiveness, particularly given the UK has among the widest regional disparities in Europe.

Speakers at the group’s first meeting will include CBI Director-General Carolyn Fairbairn; Chris Hearld, KPMG regional chairman; Ed Cox; IPPR North Director, David Brown; Transport for the North chief executive and Vivian Hunt, McKinsey managing partner, UK & Ireland.

In her opening remarks at the Business North meeting, which will take place at KPMG’s Leeds offices, Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI Director-General, will say: “Whether it’s the Nissan plant in Sunderland producing more cars than the whole of Italy, a super-port in Liverpool attracting more than £1bn of investment, financial services in Leeds, or Manchester launching the first direct flights to China outside London – the North is home to many exciting developments.

“With the Government’s devolution agenda opening up many new possibilities, business has both the enthusiasm and the capability to engage with government at all levels to ensure that the voice of business is heard and acted on.

“That’s why I am delighted to be here today at the launch of Business North. Its aim is to provide a focal point for business leaders who are committed to growth and rising productivity across the North, enabling closer involvement in actions and policies that will lead not just to regional but also national prosperity.

“Tackling weak transport links and ensuring young people have access to the education and training they need to succeed are just two of the essential conditions to unlock economic growth far beyond London.

“Harnessing the wisdom of business leaders will give Government the single point of contact it requires to understand the needs of firms of all sectors and sizes, and will give local civic leaders easy access to the views of industry on their doorstep.

“The aim is to identify the issues that make the biggest difference to growth and productivity and remain focussed on addressing them.”

Chris Hearld, KPMG northern Chairman, said: “For a number of months, in our conversations with those running businesses across the north, there has been consensus that the Northern Powerhouse is a business issue. The formation of Business North now demonstrates the appetite of corporate leaders to speak with one voice at the heart of the debate about maximising the north’s economic potential.”

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