Energytech, healthtech and pharma were cited as key factors as Cheshire was declared “an engine for growth” at the launch of a £14bn Northern investment pipeline in Leeds yesterday (May 18).
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 at the Royal Armouries saw the launch of The Great North Investment Prospectus which is backed by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves and highlights a multi-billion-pound pipeline of opportunities across the North.
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Cheshire and Warrington’s diverse and innovative businesses featured highly in the prospectus, alongside traditional Northern hotspots like Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool, which details opportunities in the North’s clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, AI, life sciences and creative industries.
Origin at Ellesmere Port, which combines hydrogen and CCUS infrastructure, is one of nine northern growth priorities identified by The Great North, Office for Investment and Treasury and highlighted as the UK’s most investor-ready, diverse clean energy cluster.
Alderley Park is recognised as a cornerstone of one of Europe’s largest biopharma manufacturing clusters while Stellantis and Bentley are acknowledged for their pivotal roles in the UK’s automotive industry. Other Cheshire-based companies highlighted include Barclays and Bank of America, credited for leading the North West’s cutting-edge financial services.
Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority chair 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.”
Other delegates included Steve Purdham, chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Business Advisory Board, who said the conference marked a momentous moment for Cheshire and its newly formed combined authority.
He 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. Origin, our clean energy cluster and our science assets are already in delivery. To investors looking North on Monday: the window to engage early in Cheshire and Warrington is open now.”
David Cook, CEO of Quodria added: “For an early R&D biotechnology business like Quodria, being part of the network of expert organisations and individuals in the North West is crucial to us meeting our ambitions in developing new treatments to help the millions of patients suffering with eczema and psoriasis. It was great to be able to fly the flag for our region which has a proud record of being at the heart of pioneering research.”
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.
