CHESHIRE and Warrington was declared “an engine for growth” as the region’s trailblazing companies were cited among the North’s transformative projects – taking centre stage for the launch of a £14bn investment pipeline.
Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority chair Cllr Louise Gittins was also able to bang the drum for the region joining mayors, leaders and businesses for a panel discussion on Northern growth at the Great North Investment Summit.
The event saw the launch of The Great North Investment Prospectus which backed by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, highlights a multi-billion-pound pipeline of opportunities across the North.
Cheshire and Warrington’s diverse and innovative businesses feature highly in the prospectus, which details opportunities in the North’s clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, AI, life sciences and creative industries.
Cllr Gittins said: “Cheshire and Warrington stands ready to play a leading role in creating prosperity across the North and for UK PLC.
“Our trailblazing businesses and industries are rightly recognised in the Northern Growth Prospectus. But today is about more than individual places- it’s about the North coming together with a shared purpose and a shared ambition for growth, investment and opportunity. The North has scale, ingenuity and determination to drive the UK’s future prosperity. By working as one North, we can unlock that potential and deliver long-term impact; our vision is bold and united, and we have the collective strength to turn our vision into lasting national impact.
“The blueprint also complements the CWCA’s own ambitions and in the coming months we will be bringing forward plans to invest in accelerating growth priorities and business support for a region home to almost one million residents, national strengths in clean energy, life sciences and advanced manufacturing, 41,000 businesses, and a £4bn tourism economy.”
Steve Purdham, chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory said: “The Great North Investment Summit is the moment Cheshire and Warrington steps onto the national stage — not as a Northern add-on, but as one of the engines of Northern growth. To investors looking North the window to engage early in Cheshire and Warrington is open now.”
Bringing together combined authorities, local councils, business, universities and government, The Great North is the UK’s first mayoral led collaboration, established by northern leaders to elevate the voice, visibility and economic impact of the North.
