Major new event to set the agenda for what comes next in the North

Driving sustainable economic growth and delivering transformational place-making in the wake of the COVID pandemic are the focus of a major new event about the future of North of England.

Invest North is bringing together decision makers and creative thinkers from government, city regions and business at an online conference and exhibition on March 24, 2021.

It will explore the North’s place in the world and showcase the new ideas, insights and analysis that will progress the levelling up agenda.

The interactive programme is built around the big picture strategic issues of sustainable development, decarbonising the Northern economy, transport and the future of towns and cities.

It will also cover the immediate priorities of pandemic resilience and Brexit, exploring inward investment, skills, job creation, place and rebuilding our cultural and hospitality sectors.

Lee-J Walker, TheBusinessDesk.com

Lee-J Walker, joint managing director of The Business Desk.com, said: ““The pace of regeneration in our Northern economies has, like so many things, been checked and challenged by COVID and Brexit. But the challenges have strengthened the sense of collaboration and community.

“Invest North will add to the collective focus that is required for the North to regain the momentum it had, bringing together the business and political leaders and key organisations who are setting the agenda for what comes next in the North.”

Invest North is backed by EY, Squire Patton Boggs, NP11, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, Impact Data Metrics, TheBusinessDesk.com and Influential.

Stephen Church, EY

Stephen Church, North Market Leader, EY, said: “At EY we’re passionate about supporting the prosperity of the North, as well as the growth ambitions of our clients across the region.

“Now, more than ever, rebalancing the geographic divide is fundamental to transforming the UK’s economy and a coherent “one North” approach is essential if we are to achieve this ambition of levelling up, so we’re proud to be sponsoring and supporting the important discussions, debates and ideas that Invest North will bring to the table.”

John Alderton, Squire Patton Boggs

John Alderton, Leeds office managing partner, Squire Patton Boggs, said: “Now more than ever the North needs to be united and speak with one voice, to make sure we are heard in Whitehall and beyond.

“As a global law firm with our roots in the North, we are proud and excited to be a headline sponsor of the Invest North Summit. Join us and the other delegates and make sure the North is heard and we attract the investment needed to help level up the UK economy.”

Invest North is supported by a broad range of channel partners, including the Department for International Trade, Transport for The North, IoD, MAG, Marketing Liverpool, Marketing Manchester, Marketing Lancashire, Sheffield City Region, Northern Power Women & Futures, Northern Asian Power List, UK Israel Business, and In The Circle.

Henri Murison

Henri Murison, director, The Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “We can only hope to unlock the true economic potential of the Northern Powerhouse through a collaborative, coherent approach from business and civic leaders working together.

“A Covid recovery must go hand in hand with rebalancing and decarbonising the economy. It is only through sustained investment in sectors such as skills, connectivity and the green economy that levelling-up can become a reality.”

Roger Marsh

Roger Marsh DL OBE, chair of the NP11 group of Northern Local Enterprise Partnerships, said: “Now more than ever the North needs to come together to showcase its industry strengths and opportunities for investment and internationalisation as it seeks to build back better from the economic challenges brought by Covid-19.

“Through Invest North I believe our region can showcase the benefits of working with the North for the benefit of both the UK and global economies.”

Neil Murray, Impact Data Metrics

Neil Murray, a director of Impact Data Metrics, said: “The pandemic and Brexit have pushed the UK into a heightened period of adaption and change. We are supporting Invest North because we believe that high quality data and the insights that can be derived from it has to be central to any and all conversations about the agenda for what comes next in the North.”

Sara Wilde, Influential

Sara Wilde-McKeown, managing director of Influential, said: “The North is a hub of so much of what is great about Britain and it’s the business and civic leaders based here that have done so much to reverse decades of post-industrial decline. Across the North West, North East, and Yorkshire we have world leaders in the 21st century economy.

“We are all involved in the business of helping others follow their example, starting up and scaling. There is an obvious need to connect around what has to happen to help us rethink and recover from the pandemic and adjust to the changes a deal or no deal Brexit will bring.”

To find out more and see how your organisation can be part of this event, visit investnorth.uk.