Partnership for Growth

10th December 2009

NORTHERN COLLABORATION HELPS DRIVE RECOVERY AND GROWTH

The Northern Way was today highlighted by the Government as an example of best practice in cross-regional collaboration, mobilising resources from the three northern development agencies to invest in economic opportunities across regional boundaries. 

The BIS publication, "Partnerships for Growth" argues that "In the North of England, the Northern Way partnership provides an example of best practice in cross-regional collaboration, in specific areas where a joined-up approach improves efficiency and effectiveness".  The document goes on to encourage further cross-boundary working, and highlights a range of case studies from the North.

The £15 million Northern Way Innovation Programme has already supported cross-regional investment in:

• NorthernNet - a very high speed telecommunication network (100Mbs on average and upgradeable to 1 Gbps), providing a secure digital network to  connect creative and digital industries and customers into MediaCity:UK.

• Plastic electronics - developing a Northern-based supply chain to manufacture high value components and new innovative products and applications from this emerging technology

Further investments are also being made to build technological and manufacturing supply chains to support offshore wind power; and work with the DECC and the Technology Strategy Board to address technology challenges in Carbon Abatement.  The Northern Way is also developing initiatives to support the supply chain for the new nuclear sector.  Further announcements on these investments will be made in the new year.

This success was made possible by the three northern RDAs (Northwest Regional Development Agency, One North East and Yorkshire Forward) pooling resources and delivering a programme of work in collaboration over the last five years. 

The Northern Way today also announced that Richard Maudslay CBE would lead a group of business experts from across the North, including the Chairs of the three Science and Industry Councils, to identify opportunities for cross-regional investment, and to ensure the North works together to exploit opportunities in new markets and for new energy technology.  Richard is a former Chair of the North East Science and Industry Council, and current Chair of the National Nuclear Laboratory, following a business background the engineering sector.  Richard takes over the role from Sir Drummond Bone.

Commenting on his appointment, Richard said, "The North of England has huge potential to develop new industries and be at the forefront of structural change.  Delivering on that potential will require new ways of working across administrative boundaries, and between the public and private sector.  The Northern Way is a unique partnership that can help mobilise commitment and resources, and deliver on the most complex collaborative projects.  I'm delighted to have the opportunity to play a leading role in bringing that partnership together".

The Northern Way has also appointed Peter Winter as Head of Collaborative Innovation, based at the NWDA.  Peter is a former Pro-Vice Chancellor at Loughborough University, and previously led collaboration between Manchester and Liverpool Universities on entrepreneurship.  Peter takes over from Sarah Jackson, who has recently been appointed as Director of the N8 partnership of northern research-led universities.

Welcoming Richard and Peter's appointments, the Chairman of the Northern Way, Hugh Morgan Williams, said, "The Northern Way works best when we identify a small number of really big issues, and bring organisations and sectors together in a spirit of collaboration.  The northern RDAs have shown their commitment to this partnership over the last 5 years, and we're now generating results."

Notes for editors: 

The Northern Way is a unique initiative, bringing together the cities and regions of the North of England to work together to improve the sustainable economic development of the North towards the level of more prosperous regions.

Richard Maudslay is an engineer with a wide-ranging business career both in the UK and overseas. In 1985 he became Managing Director of NEI Parsons Turbine Generators, the flagship of the NEI group. In 1992, he was appointed Managing Director of Rolls-Royce's £1.3billion Industrial Power Group, covering all Rolls-Royce's non-aero interests, and joined the Rolls-Royce plc main Board. He oversaw the sale of the Rolls-Royce's large steam power generation business to Siemens in 1997. 

He is currently a Non-executive Director of various businesses in the North of England, including the N G Bailey Group and Hardy & Greys Ltd.  He is a Commissioner of the Port of Blyth and one of two UK representatives on the EU Enterprise Policy Group.  He was Chairman of the MoD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and of the North East Science and Industry Council. His wider experience has included membership of the Export Guarantee Advisory Council, of DTI's Enterprise & Business Group Board, DTI's Investment Committee and DTI's Overseas Projects Board. He was awarded a CBE in 2006 for services to business in the North East.

Contact:         Nicola Hughes, Communications Manager

                        0919 229 6752 / 07771 805 949