Northern Powerhouse welcomes Mott MacDonald to partnership
Mott MacDonald has joined The Northern Powerhouse Partnership. The latest consultancy to join the initiative, the firm will now provide expertise to support the creation and delivery of initiatives supporting the UK’s economic recovery, while providing positive social outcomes across the North of England.
Originally proposed by the 2010 Coalition Government, the Northern Powerhouse scheme aims to bolster historically neglected regional economies beyond London, particularly in the "Core Cities" of Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull and Newcastle. Launched in September 2016, it works to champion policy ideas aimed at improving quality of life, economic regeneration, and to promote the north as a place to work, study, live and invest.
The organisation boasts a growing roster of partners aiming to help it achieve its goals, including a number from the professional services industry. Mott MacDonald is the latest firm to line up in support of the network’s agenda, which the company said in a press release has synergies with its own commitment to social mobility.
Henri Murison, Director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP), said, “Mott MacDonald brings a wealth of expertise on some of the north’s most critical priorities, including transport infrastructure and decarbonisation. With decades of experience in the engineering sector, we’re looking forward to working together to drive forward the Northern Powerhouse agenda, raising productivity and rebalancing the UK economy.”
The consultancy has a large physical presence in major cities across the north of England, in Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds. Nearly one-third of its 7,500 UK staff are located across Northern England, working on ambitious projects aimed at promoting quality of life in the North, growth and economic opportunities, and climate resilience across the region.
This includes a joint venture with BAM Nuttall, where Mott MacDonald completed phase one of the Leeds flood alleviation scheme, and is now delivering phase two which will help protect 1,048 homes and 474 businesses.
Ken Norbury, Managing Director of Mott MacDonald’s UK buildings and infrastructure business, said, “With our established presence across the North of England and our deep understanding of infrastructure development and what is required to improve connectivity and resilience, means we are well placed to have input to the socio-economic future of the North and its role within the UK and global economy.”
