North West Business Leadership Team

North West Business Leadership Team
Name	North West Business Leadership Team
Formation	2005
Type	Non-profit membership organisation
Headquarters	Manchester
Region served	North West England
Leader title	Chair
Leader name	Sir Richard Leese

North West Business Leadership Team

The North West Business Leadership Team is a regional membership organisation founded to represent senior executives across Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. It brings together leaders from corporations, public bodies and third sector institutions to influence regional strategy related to transport for the north, Northern Powerhouse initiatives, and major infrastructure projects such as HS2 and the Manchester Airport Group expansion. The organisation positions itself as a private sector interlocutor with civic institutions including the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the UK Department for Business and Trade, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and regional chambers of commerce.

History

The organisation emerged in the early 21st century amid debates following the establishment of the Northern Way and campaigns linked to the Northern Powerhouse proposal by then-Chancellor George Osborne. Founders included senior figures with links to United Utilities, Rolls-Royce Holdings, Manchester United F.C. board members and executives from Royal Bank of Scotland Group operations in the region. It played a visible role during the mobilisation around the proposed relocation of regional agency functions from London and during lobbying on funding allocations for projects such as the Mersey Gateway Bridge, the Manchester Metrolink expansions and port works at Port of Liverpool. Throughout its history it has interacted with political leaders including former Tony Blair era appointees and later Conservative ministers, reflecting cross-party engagement in matters such as devolution deals and transport commissions like the Transport for the North board.

Organisation and governance

The group is governed by a board and a rotating chair drawn from chief executives and non-executive directors of major firms headquartered in the region. Governance arrangements mirror practices used by organisations such as the Confederation of British Industry and sector bodies like the British Chambers of Commerce, with subcommittees focusing on infrastructure, skills, and inward investment. It maintains formal links to civic institutions including the Local Enterprise Partnerships and participates in advisory forums run by the UK Treasury, Department for Transport and regional development agencies. Corporate members adhere to a code of conduct similar to frameworks used by Institute of Directors affiliates.

Membership and leadership

Membership comprises senior executives from sectors including aerospace, finance, digital, utilities and manufacturing. Typical members have held leadership roles at BAE Systems, Siemens, Peel Group, Imperial Brands, Co-operative Group, Bensons for Beds and regional technology firms spun out from The University of Manchester and Lancaster University. Chairs and vice-chairs have included former mayors, board chairs of Manchester Airports Group and executives with previous tenures at BT Group and Virgin Trains. Advisory members often include leaders from cultural institutions such as Manchester Art Gallery and Royal Northern College of Music where cross-sectoral civic engagement is emphasised.

Activities and initiatives

The organisation runs campaigns to promote regional competitiveness, workforce development programmes co-designed with institutions including The Open University, Further Education colleges and professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. It organises high-profile summits attracting participants from International Trade Secretary delegations, investment promotion agencies, and multinationals evaluating sites in Warrington, Blackburn and Carlisle. Initiatives have included skills academies modelled on partnerships seen with Aerospace Technology Institute projects and investment prospectuses used by HSBC and Barclays relationship managers to attract foreign direct investment.

Policy positions and advocacy

The organisation has advocated for devolved funding settlements similar to the Greater Manchester devolution deal and infrastructure prioritisation consistent with recommendations from the National Infrastructure Commission. It has lobbied for transport connectivity improvements on corridors linking Liverpool and Manchester to the West Coast Main Line and for business rates reforms affecting enterprise zones administered by Homes England and local authorities. On skills policy it supports apprenticeships aligned with standards set by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and has endorsed migration policy adjustments impacting STEM recruitment in collaboration with think tanks and trade associations.

Partnerships and collaborations

Partnerships span public, private and academic sectors. The organisation collaborates with universities including University of Liverpool, University of Salford and Liverpool John Moores University on research-commercialisation initiatives and with regional NHS trusts on workforce planning. It has partnered with civic campaign groups active in Historic England conservation projects and with transport operators such as Northern Trains and TransPennine Express for advocacy on service improvements. International links include engagement with export promotion agencies in United States, China and the European Union through delegations coordinated with local enterprise partnerships.

Impact and criticism

Supporters credit the body with helping to secure investment for projects like the Mersey Gateway and influencing devolution settlements that delivered mayoral arrangements and funding for Greater Manchester. Critics argue it represents corporate interests aligned with entities such as Peel Group and major finance houses, raising concerns similar to critiques levelled at national lobbyists including the CBI and industry federations. Academic commentators from institutions like University of Manchester Business School have questioned the inclusivity of its membership relative to small and medium-sized enterprises represented by Federation of Small Businesses. Debates continue over transparency in meetings with ministers and the balance between regional planning priorities advocated by civic leaders and private sector strategic goals.

Category:Organisations based in Manchester