Great North initiative receives business backing

A coalition of Northern and national businesses has thrown its weight behind a new initiative to drive investment, job creation and economic opportunity across the region.

The Great North, launched at UKREiiF by North East mayor Kim McGuinness with support from Northern metro mayors and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, aims to unite public and private sector efforts behind a single brand to unlock growth.

Mayor Kim McGuinness, chair of The Great North, said: “Mayors, businesses, the Government and creative industries stand ready to unleash the limitless potential of the North.  

“We are united in our vision and determination to bring jobs, investment and opportunity right across the North for people, businesses and places and create a more prosperous, secure future.  

“When we work together, we can achieve amazing things, and The Great North marks a landmark moment where we seize control of our economic destiny and stand tall on the national and international stage.” 

The initiative has received backing from a wide network of SMEs, major companies and organisations including the CBI, British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Businesses and Northern Powerhouse Partnership.

A joint statement from the British Chambers of Commerce and 12 Northern Chambers of Commerce, said: “We are pleased to support the new mayoral-led partnership of the Great North. 

“We welcome the ambition to bring local government, business and academia together under a unified Northern identity, creating the scale, visibility and positive impact needed to drive meaningful investment, trade and innovation.” 

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI chief executive, added: “The Great North is a partnership that will help unlock the economic potential of our cities, towns and communities. 

“Mayors are right to put collaboration above competition. 

“This cross-regional collaboration will showcase the North’s strengths on the international stage in an ever-more competitive and uncertain global market.”  

Plans include a new Northern Investment Summit and international trade missions to showcase the North’s potential on a global stage.

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, added: “As the organisation founded to bring together businesses and investors committed to transforming Northern productivity, we strongly welcome the launch of The Great North. 

“It reflects what business expects: a shared, strategic approach that brings together local leaders to promote the North as greater than the sum of its parts. 

“By aligning around our core economic strengths, from energy and advanced manufacturing to life sciences and digital innovation, we can make a more powerful case to Government and international investors alike.”

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