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1st meeting of Northern
Powerhouse partnership held at port of Liverpool
PEEL Ports, on Thursday, 8 December
2016, have hosted the inaugural meeting of the Northern Powerhouse partnership,
at the Port of Liverpool. The initiative is creating a new network to help grow
the Northern economy and aims to champion the area's strengths and promote local
developments.
Topics at the 1st meeting included:- transport and connectivity, the
Government's industrial strategy, quality of life improvements and how partners
can work together to support the Northern Powerhouse programme.
The event was attended by over 40 leading businesses, including Atkins,
Barclays, Deloitte, Drax, Siemens and Vodafone, as well as universities, local
enterprise partnerships and business organisations.
It was followed by a tour for delegates of the £400m Liverpool2 container
terminal, which was opened at the start of November by Dr Liam Fox MP, Secretary
of State for International Trade.
During the visit, Andrew Percy, Minister for the Northern Powerhouse met Mark
Whitworth, Chief Executive of Peel Ports and Stephen Underwood, Chief Executive
Officer of Peel Group.
Mark Whitworth said:- "We were delighted to welcome the Minister on his
1st visit to the port and to explain the transformation that is taking place
here. We have made a significant investment in facilities, including the
Liverpool2 terminal, providing exceptional business opportunities for the City
Region, Merseuside and indeed the wider North West. I'm very pleased that the
Minister appreciates the contribution the maritime sector makes to the economy
and the importance of continued public investment in road and rail
infrastructure to support private sector growth."
Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy said:- "We are determined to
back business growth across the Northern Powerhouse to create an economy that
works for everyone. We have some of the best businesses and talent in the world.
So I'm delighted that Peel Ports and over 40 leading businesses are signed up
and raring to go to make the most of all the region has to offer, in a real show
of force for the North. Our new dedicated Northern Powerhouse website allows
potential investors to see what fantastic opportunities there are in the North
and showcase all it has to offer."
The UK Government's plan to boost economic growth across the north of England, a
region of over 15 million people, aims to draw on the strengths of the Regions,
Cities, Towns and rural communities to drive the development of a Northern
Powerhouse, creating an economic counter balance to London and the South East.
In June, Peel Ports endorsed a call by leading think tank, IPPR North, for
closer co-operation between ports, supply chain operators and logistics
companies based in the north of England to nurture vital economic sectors and
take advantage of global opportunities.
Responding to IPPR North's wide ranging
research report:- ‘Gateways to the Northern Powerhouse; a Northern Port
Strategy', the port operator also advocated further investment in
multimodal distribution capabilities and skills development to secure future
growth for the region. |
