Siemens boss to chair NWBLT

JUERGEN Maier, managing director of Manchester-based Siemens Industry, has been appointed chairman of the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT).

He takes over from Paul Lee, partner at law firm Addleshaw Goddard.

The group, which campaigns on regional issues, includes the heads of businesses such as BAE Systems, Manchester Airports Group, United Utilities and Peel Group.

Siemens Industry supplies of industrial plant and software, and drive technologies to industrial customers across the UK. It has sales of around £600m and employs 2,000 people.

Mr Maier said: “I am delighted by the opportunity to lead such a strong and influential team, at such a crucial juncture in our economic development as a region. I want the NWBLT to be the leading regional voice in the rebalancing agenda – making the case to the public and Government for a greater focus on the North West being an engine of export led growth.”

“The NWBLT is well positioned to do this because our membership isn’t just made up of regional companies but global ones too – which helps us to sell our region to the world. I also want to highlight and support the role of our high value manufactures – bolstering our reputation as the UK’s leading region in manufacturing output.”