Four Yorkshire business leaders appointed to UK Northern Powerhouse advisory board

Four Yorkshire business leaders have been appointed to the UK Northern Powerhouse advisory board in order to assist in driving forward its plans for supporting significant growth in the Northern economy.

Huddersfield’s Ajaz Ahmed (the founder of Freeserve), John Mothersole (CEO, Sheffield City Council), Roger Marsh OBE (Chair, Leeds City Region LEP) will all join the board, which will be chaired by Sheffield’s Lord Kerslake.

The group will support UK Northern Powerhouse in matters including reviewing and monitoring government responses to the ten recommendations outlined in the Outcomes Report of the 2016 UK Northern Powerhouse Conference.

Among these are the need for: a regional strategy for Science, Research and Skills, better engagement with corporate transport infrastructure users and providers, and a Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund.

The four new board members will also play major parts in proposing relevant issues and topics for inclusion in the 2017 UK Northern Powerhouse International Conference & Exhibition, which will take place on February 21 and 22 at Manchester Central.

In addition, the advisory board will be responsible for championing private sector Northern Powerhouse related work projects that will make a contribution to economic growth in the North of England.

The four Yorkshire business leaders will be joined on the advisory board by more than eight other leaders in the fields of business and government, including Alexandra Jones (CEO, Centre for Cities), Paul Marsh (Head of Development and Finance, Capital Investment Group, Department for International Trade) and Sarah Green (Director of Regions, CBI).