A new regional partnership, The Great North, has been launched at the UKREiiF investment summit in Leeds. Backed by the Government and led by North East Combined Authority Mayor Kim McGuinness, the partnership brings together all seven Northern mayors to drive regional investment and economic growth. Downtown in Business was proud to be part of the UKREiiF summit, supporting the North’s ambition on the national stage.
The Great North will promote major opportunities across the region, including clean energy projects, rail upgrades, and a new “northern security corridor” uniting industrial, engineering, and cyber capabilities. It also includes ambitious plans for manufacturing hubs and the One Creative North initiative to revitalise the creative industries.
A new report from the group suggests the North could add £118 billion to the UK economy with the right backing. The initiative has earned high-profile support from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sir Brendan Foster, founder of the Great North Run.
Kim McGuinness called the partnership “a vehicle for change,” while Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said it reflects the government’s commitment to putting power and decision-making into the hands of local leaders.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram noted, “This is about reshaping our future on our own terms,” with Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin adding that One Creative North is “a bold answer to a decade of underinvestment” in the sector.
