Cheshire and Warrington was declared “an engine for growth” as the region’s trailblazing companies were cited among the North’s transformative projects – taking centre stage for the launch of a £14bn investment pipeline on Monday (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 in Leeds saw the launch of The Great North Investment Prospectus which backed by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, highlights a multi-billion-pound pipeline of opportunities across the North.
Cheshire and Warrington’s diverse and innovative businesses feature highly in the prospectus, which details opportunities in the North’s clean energy, advanced manufacturing, defence, AI, life sciences and creative industries.
Origin at Ellesmere Port which combining 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 saluted include Barclays and Bank of America, credited for leading the North West’s cutting-edge financial services.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority and Cheshire West and Chester Council Leader also joined mayors, leaders and businesses for a panel discussion on Northern growth.
She 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.”
Trailblazing Cheshire businesses featured on a panel session examining how the North provides an ecosystem that allows innovation to thrive.
They included Cygnet Texkimp, a Northwich-based advanced manufacturing company and one of the world’s leading engineering specialists in composites and advanced materials. The company’s technologies are used to develop next-generation materials for fast-growing global industries including aerospace, space, defence, automotive, and clean energy transition. This year, Cygnet Texkimp’s world-class Innovation Centre will become home to the UK’s first open-access Carbon Fibre Development Cell – a project led by the National Composites Centre (NCC) and funded by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT). The company is currently seeking investment to establish a permanent Centre of Excellence in the North.
Also representing Cheshire was Quodria, an innovative dermatology R&D company which develops new topical treatments for eczema and psoriasis, undertaking research at Alderley Park and the University of Liverpool. The business is now seeking investment to progress into clinical trials.
‘Cheshire an engine of Northern growth’
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 (CWCA).
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 said: “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.”
Andy McCampbell, Operations Director at Cygnet Texkimp, said: “As a proud member of the North’s dynamic manufacturing ecosystem for over 50 years, we recognise the value of working collectively with Government to forward the interests of our region nationally and internationally, The Great North Summit offers a platform to help accelerate our plans for growth through innovation, alongside opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the region’s strategic ambitions for manufacturing and advanced materials.”
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.