The Great North unleashes new era of prosperity spearheaded by Northern Mayors

LIVERPOOL City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has joined other Northern Mayors to unveil The Great North, a new partnership to unlock a new era of jobs, opportunity and prosperity for the North.

The Mayors will launch the new body at an event in:- Leeds, which brings Mayors and local leaders together to unlock the North's economic potential in key sectors including clean energy, defence and advanced manufacturing and creative industries.

Chaired by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, The Great North has been backed by Government, with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner endorsing the organisation.

It will lead international trade missions on pan-Northern investment propositions and host a new Northern Investment Summit to champion opportunity and potential of the North's 15 million people.

Opportunities for the North identified by Mayors include:-

An energy coast proposition down the east coast powering the clean energy revolution, building on 50% of England's renewable energy already being generated in the North.
The 'Northern Arc' and the 'White Rose Plan' stretching from the north west across the Pennines anchored by investment in the Transpennine Route Upgrade and proposals in the:- 'White Rose Rail' report and 'Liverpool - Manchester Railway.'
A Northern security corridor reaching down from:- Cumbria and the North East through Lancashire, and bringing together key industrial, engineering and cyber assets that will be essential in securing the UK's international security.
Advanced materials and manufacturing corridors bringing together:- Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, with links into key neighbouring economies, or between the:- North East and Tees Valley.
The One Creative North partnership which will build on and boost the North of England's creative industries, driving inward investment and economic growth, and delivering new opportunities for creatives and communities to thrive.

A new report by The Great North launched at the event reveals the North could add �118 billion to UK PLC with the right investments � with the North leading the way as the UK pursues security in uncertain global context, with growth, energy security and defence top of the agenda.

The Great North will catalyse the potential of its creative industries and culture through One Creative North, a pan-Regional partnership to ensure that Northern creative industries have the finance, skills and connectivity they need to thrive and attract global investment and tourism, boosting jobs and growth.

It marks a new era in the North's devolution journey, moving on from initiatives imposed by Westminster, to one where local leaders develop a shared vision and strategy to unlock the North's potential.

The Great North will harness the momentum of the Devolution White Paper, to shift powers to elected Mayors representing more than 15 million people, working with local authorities, business, academia, arms-length bodies, and existing pan-Northern group and bodies.

The White Paper praised Northern Mayors for collaborating on shared priorities and signalled Government support for the mayoral-led partnership.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "Devolution has given us the freedom to move beyond the outdated:- 'Whitehall knows best' mentality which, for too long, held our communities back. By working together, Northern Mayors are showing that devolution isn't just about shifting powers from Westminster; it's about reshaping our future on our own terms. The North is home to many different accents but now we are speaking with a single, unified voice; to attract investment, open up opportunities, and showcase the very best of what our Regions have to offer."

Chair of The Great North and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said:- "The time has come for a resurgent north to unite and proudly lead the way to a fairer more prosperous UK, and The Great North is our vehicle for change. This country needs a northern story written by northern minds, not one handed to us by Whitehall, and this Great North partnership puts us on track to write it. Whether it is powering the nation's homes or powering its imagination, this is the north that will lead the way, building on a great legacy. The opportunity is immense and we are ready to work with anyone who is equally determined to create good jobs. Whether you are investing here or growing an existing business, you will know that the people of the north are our biggest asset, and now The Great North partnership is here to build on their pride in place. People choose this northern life, and we are proud to work together on the next chapter of The Great North."

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner said:- "We are taking action to shift power out of Whitehall and into our communities, giving local leaders the tools they need to realise their areas' potential. Initiatives like The Great North are critical to this - putting directly elected Mayors front and centre of exciting plans for Regional collaboration, in the places they know better than anyone else, building stronger and happier communities in the process. The North already makes a colossal contribution to our economy and our country as a whole; but there is so much more to come. I can't wait to see what The Great North will achieve as local partners work hand-in-hand, supported by a Government that shares their ambitions."

West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said:- "For too long, creative talent has had to leave to achieve, but we're turning the tide with the launch of One Creative North. Backed by the powers and funding of devolution, we are working together in the spirit of collaboration to join up our creative industries, turbocharging growth, skills and good jobs. One Creative North is a bold answer to a decade of underinvestment in the creative industries across our Great North and will put the UK back on the creative and cultural map."

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, said:- "The need for the North of England to speak with a strong, collective voice has never been greater. Devolution is enabling us to deliver better public services and better value for money for taxpayers. But the feeling here is one of potential still waiting to be unlocked. The Great North is our opportunity to come together, as Mayors and as Regions, to champion our strengths and put forward our proposition � to the Government, the country and the rest of the world." 

York and North Yorkshire Mayor David Skaith, said:- "The North has been left behind for too long. As the Great North we can embrace a new opportunity to come together as mayors and local leaders around our shared heritage and culture, championing our strengths and unlocking the huge potential for growth, investment and innovation. In York and North Yorkshire, we're at the forefront of delivering devolution and growth in an urban-rural-coastal Region, we can share our experience with new Mayors and help build resilient rural and coastal communities across the North. Working collaboratively, we can make sure every community in the North shares in this opportunity, from coast to coast, in rural villages, towns and cities."

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen said:- "Despite being of different political parties we have a track record of delivery and joining forces to bang the drum for the north will help drive even more global investment to our Region. For too long the north has played second fiddle to London but this is changing, and now we want to go further. The Great North is a great brand and now we need to make sure it's not just a logo but something that brings investment and jobs for the people of Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool."

South Yorkshire's Mayor, Oliver Coppard said:- "As Mayors, we're already tackling some of the biggest issues that face our communities - whether that's improving public transport, boosting skills and training locally or growing our economies. The Great North gives us a vehicle to tell the shared story of our Regions and the 15 million people we represent. We're going to speak with one voice about the challenges and opportunities in front of us, and do it together."

Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell said:- "We have a great opportunity to do things differently, and put our local communities 1st, thanks to devolved funding and decision-making powers. As a new Combined Authority, it's a fantastic opportunity for Hull and East Yorkshire to join up across the north on transport and other major infrastructure projects where we can make big changes happen and improve people's lives, by working together. And locally we can make decisions with people, not for people - and show that we are totally transparent and accountable to our communities."

Sir Brendan Foster CBE, Founder of the Great North Run, said:- "The Great North Run grew from an idea in 1981 to become the 1st mass participation event in the World to reach one million finishers, thus achieving national and international fame. We are excited that the:- 'Great North' brand as an identity of people and place is to be used as a mark of excellence and enthusiasm by the Metro mayors of the North of England. We will support them as they aim to make the:- 'Great North' a place of opportunity by campaigning for their fair share from Government, business, and tourism."

"Imagine Liverpool" New regeneration board established

A new team of experts tasked with supercharging a multi billion pound regeneration drive in Liverpool, has been announced.

Called Imagine Liverpool, the partnership; to be chaired by:- Patrick Nolan, former Vice Chairman, HSBC Global Banking and Markets; has been appointed to accelerate development within the City over the coming decade.

Imagine Liverpool will consist of 13 board members including former economic adviser to Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Lord Stewart Wood, and Liverpool born, BAFTA-winning producer Jimmy Mulville.

The team of national and international experts, whose formation has been endorsed by Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner MP, have been given a brief to act as ambassadors and advisors for Liverpool, with the aim of helping to give confidence to investors, landowners, developers and occupiers in the reshaping of the City's economic landscape.

The new team gathered for their 1st meeting in Liverpool on:- Monday, 19 May 2025, before a delegation heads to the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, to promote investment opportunities in the City.

A recruitment drive for the board was announced last Autumn with a brief to:- "provide strategic leadership to drive forward regeneration opportunities, accelerate development, and enhance the quality of life for the City's residents," in a new phase in the development of the City.

As 1 of the fastest growing cities in the UK, Liverpool City Council wants to take advantage of brownfield sites to deliver thousands of quality new homes to meet the Government's housing targets. It also wants to focus on the specialisms of the City in health and life science, creative and digital, maritime and advanced manufacturing to innovate, accelerate job creation and diversify the economy.

1 area of focus will be Liverpool's iconic waterfront and docks. Capitalising on Everton FC's arrival at Bramley Moore Dock, and the private sector investment from the Fredkin Group, as well as nearby schemes, backed by:- Tom Morris and Global Port Holdings, Imagine Liverpool will oversee the establishment of the emerging Locally Led Urban Development Corporation for the City's North Docks to support and accelerate development.

The board will also input into the New Town bid, which aims to create an urban extension in North Liverpool. Developed jointly with Sefton Council, this ambitious long-term vision to revitalise this key part of the City includes plans to develop:- 10,000 new homes.

In addition to having oversight into an existing pipeline of major projects, including Festival Gardens, Kings Dock, Paddington Village South and the Littlewoods TV and Film Studios, the new board will have a strategic overview of regeneration city wide. They will also advise on the City narrative that builds a strong investable proposition to secure private and institutional investment, foreign investment, and future allocations from the Government.

Imagine Liverpool was a key recommendation of the Liverpool Strategic Futures Advisory Panel, chaired by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, with support from Baroness Judith Blake and the late Sir Howard Bernstein.

The Imagine Liverpool team will be supported by the Council's City Development Team.

Imagine Liverpool - board members:-

Patrick Nolan, ex-Vice:- Chairman HSBC and Director Delfina Advisory Ltd.
Stewart Wood, The Right Honourable Lord Wood of Anfield.
Louise Shepherd, Regional Director (North West) for NHS England and former Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
Mitchell Silver, Former Commissioner of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation,
Emma Frost, Director, at Fern Consulting Services Ltd, along with Chair of UK Innovation Districts Group.
Ana Nishnianidze, Director of Trade and Investment for the City of London Corporation.
Bronwen Rapley, Chief Executive, Onward and Chair of Homes for the North.
Deirdra Armsby, former Director of Place Shaping and Town Planning, at City of Westminster.
Nic Byrne, Entrepreneur and Founder of Urban Calm.
Andy Hunt, Senior Director of Quod.
Jimmy Mulville, Co-Founder of Hat Trick Productions.
Dr Susie Mitchell, Programme Director for Glasgow City of Science and Innovation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, MP, said:- "Liverpool is a world famous City with a rich history and a bold vision for the future. It's fantastic to see this new partnership bring together leading experts to help unlock even more of that potential, with new investment, homes and jobs that will create real, lasting change for local people. Through our Plan for Change we are building the 1.5 million high quality homes and vital infrastructure that communities like Liverpool are crying out for. Imagine Liverpool is exactly the kind of ambitious, locally led transformation we want to see, and we'll work hand in hand with the City to make it happen."

Councillor Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:- "The establishment of Imagine Liverpool is a major milestone in our ongoing regeneration story and a new chapter for the City. Liverpool is on the cusp of delivering some truly transformational schemes, especially in the docks and North of the City, and we need to ensure the opportunities arising from the momentum we're creating are fully maximised. We have assembled an immensely diverse, talented and experienced board, and I look forward to working with Patrick and all the members to inject a new energy into our plans for the City and fully realise Liverpool's amazing potential. I know the Council and the Combined Authority are as one in our desire to improve how we work with the private sector and with Government to make this one of the most exciting City Regions to live and work in."

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "This is a major step forward for Liverpool 1 rooted in the vision and hard graft of the Strategic Futures Advisory Panel that I was proud to chair. We were clear that the City needed a new kind of regeneration partnership, 1 that works with local communities and brings in the right expertise to unlock Liverpool's full potential. The new body does exactly that. With the right team in place, this next decade could see the biggest transformation in a generation, delivering new homes, better jobs, and the kind of investment that genuinely improves people's lives."

Patrick Nolan, Chair of the Imagine Liverpool board, said:- "I'm delighted and honoured to be asked to join and Chair Imagine Liverpool. The global brand of Liverpool is truly incredible, and there is so much opportunity here. I've been hugely impressed by the vision, drive and commitment of the Mayor Steve Rotheram and Cllr Liam Robinson, as well as the Liverpool City Council team. Their establishment of a highly experienced advisory board to help them deliver the regeneration plan is a clear sign of intent. I'd like to think we can help Liverpool reach its full potential as a place to live and work. There has been a huge amount of positive work done in Liverpool over the past 20 years, but there is still so much more to do, particularly North of the City where our initial focus will be. It's such an:- exciting time for the City and we're looking forward to playing our part in helping reshape Liverpool's future."

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The Great North unleashes new era of prosperity spearheaded by Northern Mayors

"Imagine Liverpool" New regeneration board established