Private sector at heart of growth – Leeds & Partners

THE private-sector led approach to drive sustainable economic and jobs growth and the city’s emergent position in the digital and information economy were key points of discussion at Leeds and Partners’ first annual stakeholder meeting.

More than 200 of the city’s senior stakeholders from the private, public and third sectors attended the meeting at The Leeds College of Music yesterday.

Andy Clarke, Chair of Leeds and Partners’ board and president and chief executive of Asda, outlined the opportunities which needed to be seized in order to maximise Leeds’ potential as a great northern city in the national drive for growth.

He said: “Government, local and national, must recognise not everything is in place that global investors expect. We need investment in world class transport and digital infrastructure.”

Business figures discussed the growth and development of northern economies and the important part they play in driving forward the national agenda for growth.

Richard Threlfall, KPMG’s Yorkshire based UK head of infrastructure, building and construction, said: “The widening north south divide is throttling the UK and our regional economy. Money is currently being directed to the strongest parts of the national economy – it should be directed to the weakest.

“Local business and public sector leaders need to work together now, not wait for Whitehall. We must grasp the opportunity to drive innovative approaches to delivering growth. This requires confidence, belief and long term thinking in our West Yorkshire economy, enhanced by public and private sector collaboration, where Leeds and Partners plays a key role.”