Northern delegation eyes £450 million trade boost

A trade mission is set to showcase the North of England to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with hopes of unlocking investment, creating jobs and securing business opportunities worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Nearly 200 representatives from across the North will travel to India next week as part of a delegation led by Northern mayors through The Great North initiative.

Bringing together businesses, universities and leaders from tourism, culture and sport, the mission aims to capitalise on opportunities created by the new UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

UK Government analysis estimates the agreement could boost Northern economies by £450 million annually in the long term, including £210 million for the North West, £170 million for Yorkshire and the Humber and £70 million for the North East.

Delivered in partnership with HSBC and working alongside the UK Government, the mission will promote the region’s investment potential, strengthen commercial relationships and attract international visitors.

Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds is also expected to join Northern leaders for part of the visit, alongside senior UK business representatives.

Organisers say it marks the first time the North of England has joined forces to promote itself internationally on this scale.

Kim McGuinness, chair of The Great North and North East mayor, said: “The North is going to India with ambition, confidence and a simple message: we want to seize every opportunity this new trade deal creates.

“That’s why we’re not waiting for the benefits to come to us.

“We’re taking the North’s leading businesses, universities, sports clubs and visitor destinations to India to win investment, open doors for our businesses, bring more visitors to the North and build relationships that can last for generations.

“From clean energy and advanced manufacturing to life sciences, technology and our creative industries, the North has world-class strengths and a compelling offer to India.

“When the North comes together, we are mighty - and we’re excited to showcase the best of our regions on the global stage, to help bring jobs, prosperity and opportunity back home.”

Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds added: “From agreeing the India trade deal with Minister Goyal in Hyde Park last year to seeing it come into force this summer, the coalition of Northern mayors and businesses is an exciting initiative in the next stage our partnership which is packed with economic opportunities from our most significant deal to date.

“From Sunderland to Skye this is what will drive economic growth across the country, where government lays the groundwork for businesses and organisations to work together with international partners to create jobs and opportunities for now and for the future.”

As part of the visit, a flagship trade and investment event in Delhi will bring together Northern and Indian businesses for networking, investment pitches and sector-specific discussions.

These will focus on opportunities across advanced manufacturing, life sciences, clean energy, technology, digital industries and the creative sector.

Among the North East businesses taking part is County Durham-based Low Carbon Materials, which develops sustainable construction technologies.

Dr Natasha Boulding, its chief executive and co-founder, said: “Low Carbon Materials is joining the Great North mission because India is building at a scale the world has never seen, and the materials it chooses now will shape global emissions for decades.

“Concrete is the world's most widely used building material.

“Our product, ACLA, is a carbon-negative additive that cuts its carbon footprint while improving performance.

“India could also play a part in our supply chain.

“We are exploring partnerships to source biochar made from Indian crop waste that would otherwise be burned, turning it into a low-carbon material for construction.

“Links like these, built through shared university and business networks, are exactly what we want to grow.

“For us, a successful mission means new partners in India's construction sector, pilot projects with Indian concrete producers and a stronger supply chain between our two countries.

“Working together, UK and Indian businesses can move faster.

“The North brings world-class materials science and advanced manufacturing.

“India brings scale, ambition and a thriving startup scene.”

Beyond the Delhi event, Northern mayors will meet potential investors, senior political figures and business leaders to attract investment and help regional companies secure customers and contracts.

Universities will pursue research, innovation and student exchange partnerships with Indian institutions, supported by British Council and Study UK activity.

Tourism organisations, including VisitBritain, will promote Northern destinations to Indian travel buyers, while sporting and cultural organisations will use shared interests such as football and cricket to strengthen international relationships.

Individual Northern delegations will also undertake targeted activity in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other locations, focusing on opportunities aligned with their regional economic strengths.

The programme will include engagement with Indian government ministers, the British High Commissioner and senior business figures, with organisers emphasising the importance of building lasting partnerships rather than delivering a one-off promotional visit.

Dr Kishore Jayaraman OBE, group chief executive of the UK India Business Council, added: “India is UK’s one of the most important economic partners, and the UK–India Free Trade agreement creates real momentum to deepen that relationship.

“UKIBC is proud to partner with The Great North to support this first-ever joint Northern delegation to India, helping connect Northern businesses, universities and civic leaders with opportunities across key growth sectors.

“There is enormous collective scale across the North, but also very different strengths and opportunities within each region.

“By bringing together a Northern economy worth over £340 billion, this mission will help turn ambition into practical outcomes.

“Our role is to bring UKIBC’s knowledge, networks and presence in India alongside that ambition and help turn it into opportunities.”

Stuart Tait, head of commercial banking at HSBC, added: “India and the North of England have complementary strengths, from advanced manufacturing and life sciences to technology, clean energy and creative industries.

“The new UK–India Free Trade Agreement creates an important platform for businesses to deepen these connections, expand into new markets and attract investment.

“HSBC is proud to support this mission, helping Northern businesses build the international relationships, manage the complexities of cross-border trade and turn the agreement’s potential into tangible growth, jobs and opportunity for communities across the region.

“Strong collaboration between businesses, government, universities and financial institutions will be key to making this long-term partnership a success.”

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