Colliers International, the global real estate advisor, has become the first commercial property firm in the North of England to join the Government’s Northern Powerhouse partnership programme.
More than 50 major businesses, institutions and organisations have become ‘partners’ of the programme established by Prime Minister Theresa May to champion the Government’s mission to create a Northern Powerhouse by backing business growth throughout the North of England and North Wales via record investment in transport, infrastructure, housing, science and culture.
Colliers International is active in the Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield city regions, working closely with local authorities, owners, occupiers, investors, developers and financiers to bring forward large and complex projects that are strategically important to these cities, their city regions and the wider Northern Powerhouse.
The firm joins fellow programme partners including Peel Group, Barclays, Siemens, Manchester Airport Group, Leeds Bradford Airport, Carlisle Lake District Airport, Deloitte, North Wales Business Council, University of Central Lancashire and PD Ports.
Andrew McFarlane, director and head of the North West for Colliers, said: “As long-term supporters of the Northern Powerhouse we stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government and our fellow partners and see tremendous potential in both the programme and the Northern Powerhouse.
“We’re already witnessing more interest in and understanding of the North from overseas investors and in particular, those in China and South Africa as positive momentum builds towards rebalancing the national economy with the creation of a vibrant and growing North offering a highly skilled population and a better place in which to live and work.”
Greg Styles, Head of Colliers’ Yorkshire and North East, commented: “The major cities of Yorkshire are some of the UK’s greatest places to live and work. They are already seeing class-leading development such as Hammerson’s Victoria Gate shopping centre in Leeds, which opened this month. The confirmation last week that the route for HS2 will connect directly into both Sheffield and Leeds city centres is further evidence of the huge opportunities that will bring positive change for generations to come through the Northern Powerhouse focus. We are proud to support it.”
Northern Powerhouse Minister Andrew Percy MP said: “We are determined to create an economy that works for everyone, which is why we’re backing the Northern Powerhouse with the investment and powers in needs to unleash its huge untapped potential.
“And with 187,000 jobs created in the North in the past year alone and billions invested through devolution deals, Northern businesses signed up to our new partner programme can be a catalyst for economic growth, not just in the North but throughout the country.”
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke, added: “We are determined to create a Northern Powerhouse and are clear we must work closely with businesses to pool the abundance of talent across the North to make this a reality.”
“But this is just the start, and I would encourage other leading companies to sign up to our new scheme, so we can continue to work together to unleash the full potential of our great Northern towns and cities.”
