National commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has bolstered its involvement with the Northern Powerhouse initiative by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government to become an official member of its Northern Powerhouse Partnership Programme.
Building on its existing research-led initiatives, including the annual Northern Powerhouse Office Market Report and Northern Powerhouse Office Districts web-based app, LSH has committed to working with the Government to jointly promote the strengths of the North and demonstrate the tangible growth of its economy, as well as new developments in the following four key areas:
• Connectivity and transport
• Skills, science and innovation
• Quality of life and culture, and
• Devolution
Ezra Nahome, CEO of LSH, said: “As an organisation whose business model is entrenched in the UK regions, we are fully aware of the strengths the North of England has to offer and are proud to join forces with the Government to help it achieve its full potential.”
Matthew Scrimshaw, Regional Director for the North of England and Scotland at LSH, commented: “Since the Government’s Northern Powerhouse initiative was first launched back in 2014, confidence across the North of England has grown exponentially; we’ve witnessed a significant rise in investment volumes, record levels of occupier take-up and more development starts than any previous cycle.
“LSH is committed to helping change the face of our major cities by attracting greater levels of inward investment and bringing forward strategic development sites, some of which we’re already involved in, including the Olympic Legacy Park in Sheffield, NOMA in Manchester and the former Tetley Brewery site in Leeds, and we’re confident that the Northern Powerhouse Partnership Programme will have a positive impact on the region.”
LSH joins more than 80 major businesses, institutions and organisations including Barclays, Siemens, Manchester Airport Group, Leeds Bradford Airport and Peel Group and as partners of the Northern Powerhouse.
Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry added: “The Northern Powerhouse is a long term plan to boost the economy of the North, so it’s crucial that we’re attracting the right investment.
“Over the past few years, we’ve invested over £3.4 billion directly in the Northern Powerhouse for projects to boost local economies. Now I want to build on this by working with Lambert Smith Hampton and other Northern Powerhouse Partners to ensure we’re making the most of the opportunities in the North.
“I’m delighted that Lambert Smith Hampton is demonstrating its commitment to help attract investment into our Northern towns and cities.”