Deloitte: IFB 2014 highlights regional business prowess
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 Andy Wilde, Head of Tax at Deloitte
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Link me up, baby! We’ve all heard it said: You should think about doing business in the North West. We’re only a couple of hours train ride away from London – that going to get quicker still when we get HS2. Fine. There’s nothing wrong with promoting our region based on its proximity to one of the world’s greatest cities. However, the world is bigger than London and we are so much more than a satellite of the UK’s capital. We’re home to some of the country’s leading, most exciting businesses, easily evidenced by the high profile recent floats of AO.com, Boohoo and Pets at Home. We’re also the chosen home of multiple international businesses; businesses – like mine – that understand the importance of being able to do work as part of the beating heart of the North West corporate community, not just servicing ‘northern’ clients from London. Businesses that service national and international work from the North West because we have unique skills and experience. And we’re also leading the charge in attracting specialist back-office functions of global giants. Not because we’re near London but because we are not London. We can offer access to some of the world’s best and most inspiring graduates, space in award winning state-of-the-art buildings and a genuine spirit of innovation. All at a fraction of the cost of many other cities. Our location services team find this combination of lower cost and high quality talent, coupled with the UK’s reducing tax rates and stable environment are a key catalyst for investment here. It’s an amazing platform for success. But we’re not alone. Europe has a plethora of cities competing for investment and centralized activities, from Amsterdam to Zurich – but not many can compete across the spectrum of cost and capability needs. We win the competition by having the best infrastructure, the best international links. And yes, a fast connection to London is important. But it’s our connections to the rest of the world that will increasingly matter in this hyper-connected modern world. Here’s hoping that delegates at the International Festival for Business enjoyed their direct flights into Manchester Airport (checking out the huge potential of Airport City) or Peel’s John Lennon Airport. And whilst we’re talking about Peel, let’s celebrate its work at Liverpool Waters. It’s these connections that will keep the North West alive and kicking!
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