Northern Powerhouse Partnership announces board changes
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) has announced the appointment of seven new office holders and board members, including leading UK industrialist Professor Juergen Maier as vice-chair.
Maier, who until last September was chief executive of Siemens UK had spent 33 years with the business, and now serves as chair of the Digital Catapult. He also co-chairs Made Smarter and serves on the Industrial Strategy Council which advises the UK Government on Industrial Strategy.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak met with senior business and civic leaders from the NPP today to reaffirm the Treasury’s commitment to levelling up and to discuss priorities for driving the Northern Powerhouse agenda.
Sharon Watson, who became CEO and principal at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in May this year, also joins the board. Watson is one of the leading figures in arts and culture in the North and was appointed a deputy lieutenant (DL) of West Yorkshire in November.
Leeds City Council Leader Cllr Judith Blake has also been confirmed to be be replacing Sheffield City Council Leader Cllr Julie Dore, one of the founding members of the partnership, who is stepping down from her role at the council.
The other new board members include Co-op CEO Steve Murrells and TalkTalk CEO Tristia Harrison announced as board members, alongside Drax CFO Andrew Skelton.
While Andrea Delay, MD and UK head of business & professional services at Barclays Corporate Banking will take over as chair of the Education and Skills Committee.
Chair of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership George Osborne said: “I’m pleased to welcome a number of the North’s leading voices on business, technology, energy, civic life and the arts to our Board, as well as a leader for our work on skills and education.”
“Their contribution will prove invaluable to driving forward the Northern Powerhouse agenda as we push ahead with our objectives of rebalancing the economy and securing further devolution across the whole of the North.
“I’d also like to thank Julie Dore, one of the founding members of the partnership, who is stepping down as leader of Sheffield City Council after six years of service.”
The NPP was set up in 2014 by then Chancellor George Osborne and now comprises of a number of the largest businesses in the North, spanning a range of industries including transport, construction and technology.
