Region "must seize once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" it has in its hands

SEIZING opportunities as they arise is very much on the mind of Andy Wood, as he settles in to the role of practice leader at Grant Thornton in Leeds.

With the healthy crane count on the Leeds skyline providing evidence of the strengthening economy, there is a tangible sense of momentum across the city.

“There’s so much work going on” said Mr Wood. “Look at the skyline of Leeds – the cranes are back. The bars and restaurants are full, the Victoria Gate scheme is up and running, and there are offices going up, left, right and centre. The confidence is back.”

It makes it an exciting time to have stepped up from head of audit to lead the regional office in November. The promotion has given him reason to reflect on the pivotal moments where he was able to seize opportunities in his career.

After reading French and German at the University of Bradford, he made partner at RSM Robson Rhodes 11 years later, before the firm became part of Grant Thornton in 2007.

“There are two moments that stand out in my career,” said Mr Wood. “First, making the decision to go to Paris for two years in 1997, because that broadened my outlook, my network, my opportunities, and I am convinced I wouldn’t be sat here if I had said no.

“The second was when the two firms decided to merge, that was a fantastic fillip for my career as well. To be part of a vibrant, growing organisation opened up opportunities to be involved in things I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to.”

Victoria Gate John LewisThe mindset of working hard to make the best of an opportunity is a theme that he believes is important for the region too.

Devolution and the Northern Powerhouse are crucial to the future growth of the Yorkshire economy, and Mr Wood argues it is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” for the region.

He said: “While the devolution deal that came out of the Budget didn’t go as far as it might have done for some, I prefer to look at it from a glass half full perspective, as I do for most things in life. We have come a long way from the position a few years ago.

“It strikes me as being a challenge for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to build trust for the greater good.

“Manchester for all good reasons seems to have trailblazed around the devolution agenda. Sir Howard Bernstein seems to have found a way of getting that region to work in close collaboration and there’s a track record of trust being built and fair play to them. I do see Leeds, Yorkshire and other places across the country looking at the model and what has been achieved.”

Sir Howard Bernstein

Mr Wood, who grew up in Bury, describes himself as “a passionate northerner” and his infectious enthusiasm for the potential on both sides of the Pennines is clear.

“We need to do whatever we can as business leaders across the northern cities, from Liverpool across to Hull and up to Newcastle, to ensure we are getting the best we can for the northern region.”

“Sometimes people look across to Manchester jealously and spend time on that rather than looking at how it can be learned from and built on to create something bigger and better.

“It comes back to that attitude of mind. Focusing on Leeds and West Yorkshire, but focusing on what is good about this region, what we have to celebrate –  embrace the fact that people, attitudes and styles might be different in Leeds or Bradford or Wakefield – but work together as a combined authority and in collaboration with what is happening across the Pennines.”

He believes that parochialism and pessimism are losing the battle as people begin to see the progress that is being made.

He added: “Even the more pessimistic people in the north are now starting to see the momentum. Hardly a day goes by without hearing or reading about the LEP, the combined authority, and the Northern powerhouse. It shows real progress and supports the work that Roger Marsh and others are doing.

“If we are not yet at the tipping point, we are close to it.”

He is confident Grant Thornton is well-positioned for the business growth that would fuel the Northern Powerhouse, particularly among the “forgotten-about” sector of medium-sized businesses.

“What medium-sized businesses need in terms of support for their growth journey is for Government to be lobbied on things like transport, the skills shortage, long-term growth finance,” he said. “It is incumbent on professional and financial services, in the widest sense, to shout about what our clients say they need support with, both from Government and the advisory community.”

“As a business leader in this region, Grant Thornton wants to take advantage of the growth agenda in this part of the world.

“There’s a real confidence in the economy. Our ‘category of one’ status has never been stronger and lots of businesses want to talk to us. We are fast becoming the go-to place for people who want advisers that understand growth.”

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