http://www.nwda.co.uk/pdf/10_years_on

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Making Big Things Happen The Economic Impact of the NWDA 1999 - 2009

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£740m £5.20 cost savings for manufacturers

The Agency-funded Manufacturing Advisory Service North West has created or safeguarded over 8,500 jobs, provided training to almost 6,500 adults and achieved cost savings of £740m.

for every £1 invested An independent assessment* of Agency performance between 2002-07 showed that every £1 invested in the regional economy averaged a return of £5.20 in economic impact.

Source: Manufacturing Advisory Service North West

Source: independent evaluation by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of BERR 2008-09

900

£150m

Since 1999, the Northwest has secured over 900 inward investment projects, creating or safeguarding over 85,000 jobs.

The regional Major Events Strategy has generated £150m for the regional economy since 2004.

Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture generated £800m for the City Region in 2008 alone, over 3.5m first-time visitors and £176m in tourism spend.

inward investment projects

generated from major events

Source: NWDA Supported Major Events Evaluations 2004-09

£75m 222,000 cost savings for businesses

jobs created or safeguarded

Over 3,600 Northwest businesses have been assisted in improving their environmental performance through the ENWORKS programme. To date, for every £1 the Agency has invested in ENWORKS, £13 of cost savings have been identified.

Since 1999, NWDA projects and programmes have made a significant impact on the regional economy, creating or safeguarding 222,000 jobs and creating 23,000 new businesses.

Source: ENWORKS online toolkit

Source: NWDA Annual Performance Measurements 1999-2009

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Summary Since the Agency’s establishment in 1999, the regional economy has undergone a period of dramatic change.

After a number of years of growth, the Northwest has built a strong foundation.

This has been as a result of the region’s partners agreeing and delivering key priorities, to make big things happen.

Providing this leadership to turn priorities into real action on the ground has been the single most important role that the Agency has played over the last 10 years. Without this, many of the projects within this publication simply would not have happened. This ranges from driving forward the growth of Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus, reversing the decline in areas like Ancoats and Blackpool, and turning transformational projects such as MediaCityUK and the University of Cumbria into reality.

However as the economy has evolved, so has the role of the Agency. Our expertise has enabled us to react swiftly to events from the Foot and Mouth outbreak to the current economic downturn, which is perhaps our biggest challenge to date.

Our knowledge on what drives economic growth and where investment can have the biggest impact will make our role even more significant.

The past 10 years have been both rewarding and challenging for the Northwest economy.

We’ve had major successes but there is still much to do if we are to emerge from the downturn stronger and continue to make big things happen here in the Northwest.

Robert Hough Chairman

Steven Broomhead Chief Executive

Contents 04 Business - MediaCityUK - Manufacturing Advisory Service - Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus - Foreign and Direct Investment - Business Link Northwest - ENWORKS resource efficiency programme 07 People - University of Cumbria - University of Manchester - Rural Renaissance - Responding to Redundancies - Supporting BAE Systems - Nuclear Skills

"The Northwest has been one of the regions to benefit most from a Regional Development Agency. The NWDA has been intrinsic to the renaissance of the Northwest and its business leaders can clearly identify the Agency's achievements."

Darrell Mathews, North West Regional Director, Institute of Directors

10 Place - East Manchester - Major Events Strategy - Blackpool - Liverpool - Regional Marketing Programme - Newlands - Project ACCESS 3

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Business The Agency has specialist, technical knowledge in the key areas influencing the region’s competitiveness: awareness of what drives the Northwest’s key business sectors; understanding of how to stimulate innovation; and experience of how to increase the competitiveness of enterprises. Since 1999, we have built on the region’s key business strengths to drive growth opportunities through carefully targeted investment.

Building a creative economy MediaCityUK, based at Salford Quays and led by Peel Media, will be Europe's leading purpose-built creative and media development. An innovative complex designed to bring together companies from across the sector, the project will establish an international hub for the digital media and creative industries, incorporating studios, offices, apartments, retail and leisure.

The NWDA has invested £30 million in the project, as well as playing a crucial role in the BBC’s decision to relocate five key departments to the Northwest in 2011. In addition, the Agency is also working with partners including Salford City Council and Central Salford URC to establish a Media Enterprise Centre at the heart of MediaCityUK, which will support media skills development, stimulate research activities and offer business accelerator space for cohabiting businesses.

Further NWDA investment is also ensuring the delivery of an additional Metrolink rail spur, providing vital connections between MediaCityUK and the rest of Salford Quays, as well as a service every 6 minutes to and from Manchester city centre.

MediaCityUK will build on the region’s existing strengths in the creative and digital industries, a priority sector supported by the NWDA through cluster organisation Northwest Vision & Media.

“The NWDA's support, knowledge and expertise were an important factor in the BBC's decision to locate in the Northwest at MediaCityUK. The Agency continues to play a vital strategic role in the successful development of the public-private partnership at MediaCityUK.”

MediaCityUK will: employ more than

15,000

people

deliver

£1bn

in additional net value to the Northwest economy provide workspace for more than

1,100

creative and related businesses

Peter Salmon, BBC Director North Source: MediaCityUK Economic Impact Assessment, AMION Consulting, March 2006

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Growing manufacturing excellence The Northwest’s manufacturing sector is the biggest of any English region and remains a major driver for improving GVA, contributing £20.3 billion to the regional economy.

To support the sector’s growth, in 2002, the NWDA played an instrumental role in establishing the Manufacturing Advisory Service North West. Delivered by The Manufacturing Institute and offering specialist hands-on support and workshops, the service helps regional manufacturers to share knowledge, improve productivity and achieve success in an increasing competitive global economy.

Through increased productivity, enhanced supply chain performance and improved innovation, the service has seen major success to date, creating or safeguarding over 8,500 jobs, providing training to almost 6,500 adults and achieving cost savings of £740 million for Northwest manufacturers.

To ensure the sector is supported throughout the economic downturn, a new multi-million pound investment by the NWDA has been announced for the next four years.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service has: created or safeguarded

8,500

jobs

achieved cost savings of

£740m Source: Manufacturing Advisory Service North West

Developing scientific expertise Following the loss of the major £600 million ‘next generation light source’ project from Daresbury to Oxford in 1999, the Northwest faced a serious threat to future investment in its science and innovation capability, and the closure of the Daresbury site. The Agency provided a comprehensive and proactive response to this through a number of initiatives, including the creation of the first Regional Science Council in the country.

Publication of a Regional Science Strategy in 2002 (updated in 2007) was followed by a succession of projects including the launch of the Northwest Science Fund and supporting the establishment of both Liverpool and Westlakes Science Parks.

The NWDA has since moved forward with plans to build a new 35,000 sq ft grow-on facility on Campus, for companies progressing from the Innovation Centre and for larger more established companies from elsewhere.

“Without the NWDA’s intervention and leadership, vital projects such as the development of Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus and other facilities would not have happened.”

The Campus, which has since been identified by Government as one of two national strategic science sites in the UK, is now moving into a new and exciting phase to fully develop its potential over the next 15-20 years. A commercial partner is being selected to develop up to 1 million sq ft of science and innovation space, with a long term vision of creating up to 10,000 jobs on site.

John Stageman, Vice President for Global Sciences and Information, AstraZeneca

To ensure the Northwest’s future as a hub for world-leading science, the Agency worked with the Science and Technology Facilities Council to lead the development of Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus.

This is now home to the ground-breaking Daresbury Laboratory and the Cockcroft Institute (the National Centre for Accelerator Science), as well as nearly 100 high-tech companies in Daresbury Innovation Centre, a state-of-the-art facility designed to attract science and technology based businesses to the region.

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Enhancing international competitiveness Foreign and Direct Investment plays a significant role in the Northwest economy, with foreign-owned companies responsible for generating almost a fifth of the region’s entire economic output. With good quality foreign investment vital in developing the region’s international competitiveness, the NWDA has led work with partners across the region*, overseas and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), to attract leading global companies to the Northwest.

This approach has paid dividends, with international companies such as The Bank of New York, Quinn Glass, printing company Prinovis and shipping line Maersk all choosing the Northwest to locate their operations.

In the past ten years, the Northwest has secured over 900 inward investment projects, creating or safeguarding over 85,000 jobs, evidence of the region’s position as the UK’s leading region for Foreign and Direct Investment outside the South East.

“The involvement of the NWDA was instrumental in our decision to locate in the Northwest and the aftercare support we’ve received has also been very helpful.”

Adrian Curry, Director, Quinn Glass

Over the past 10 years the Northwest has: secured over

900

inward investment projects

created or safeguarded over

85,000

jobs

*MIDAS, The Mersey Partnership, Cheshire and Warrington Economic Alliance, Lancashire Economic Partnership and Invest in Cumbria.

Improving business support Effective and targeted assistance is vital to ensure small and medium sized enterprises in the Northwest can access the support they need to start up or grow. Having assumed responsibility for the management of the Business Link service in 2005, this provided a timely opportunity for the Agency to review the whole spectrum of business support provision in the region to ensure it was fit-for-purpose and relevant.

In 2007, the NWDA launched the one-stop regional Business Link Northwest service, replacing five sub-regional Business Link organisations. Designed to increase the number of businesses and individuals accessing business support across the Northwest, the high quality service now provides a primary access point for practical

business support, sector-specialist brokers with expert knowledge, and more resources for front-line delivery.

In its first year of operation, over 86,000 Northwest businesses accessed the new service. This figure rose to more than 92,500 last year, a 30% increase on the previous service in 2005/06. During the first quarter of 2009/10, the service had already engaged with 23,000 businesses and was operating an 89% customer satisfaction rate.

In 2008-09 Business Link Northwest: supported

92,500

businesses

Source: Business Link Northwest key performance figure 2008-09

“Reforming Business Link across sub-regional boundaries is a good example of the RDA understanding the needs of businesses and making real improvements in service delivery and quality.”

Damian Waters, Regional Director, CBI North West

Increasing business efficiency Over the past ten years, there has been a growing emphasis on climate change, how to respond to the challenges it presents and reduce future effects.

The NWDA was the first RDA to develop a Climate Change Action Plan, to ensure the region not only reduces its impact on the environment but also to capitalise on the business opportunities it presents.

Recognising that businesses have a key role to play by adapting the ways in which they work, in 2001 the Agency led the establishment of ENWORKS. The regionwide organisation offers specialist business support to improve environmental

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performance, reduce waste, improve productivity and increase cost savings.

To date, for every £1 the NWDA has invested in ENWORKS’ resource efficency programme, £13 of cost savings have been identified. Over 3,600 Northwest businesses have since benefited from the specialist advice and support offered, with £75 million cost savings identified.

ENWORKS has proved so successful that it is now widely recognised as a model of best practice on both a national and European level, which other regions are now replicating.

ENWORKS has: supported

3,600

businesses

identified

£75m

cost savings

Source: ENWORKS online toolkit

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People The level and range of skills in the Northwest workforce is critical to the economic development of our region. In order to compete effectively, Northwest businesses need to have access to suitably trained and qualified people to meet their business needs. The NWDA has worked to develop the level and range of skills in the workforce through a number of high-profile capital investment programmes, as well as promoting workforce development.

Improving education provision Improving the provision of Higher Education in the region is essential if the Northwest is to attract and retain a skilled pool of graduates. In Cumbria, a limited provision of Higher Education was a key issue, particularly in the challenge of moving its economy towards higher value employment and encouraging graduates to remain in Cumbria.

The Agency took an active role with partners HEFCE, Cumbria Learning and Skills Council, Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Vision to address this. An NWDA investment of £36 million supported the creation and development of a new university, linking St. Martins College, Cumbria Institute of the Arts in Carlisle, and two of the Cumbrian campuses of the University of Central Lancashire.

Recruiting 28,000 students by 2017 and adding £82 million to the regional economy over the same period, the Agency’s supporting role and funding will be instrumental in transforming the education landscape of Cumbria and driving young people’s progression from Further to Higher Education.

“The NWDA’s commitment to the University of Cumbria was crucial in making the project happen. That input has resulted in a major step change to higher education in Cumbria – the most significant it has ever seen.”

By 2017, the University of Cumbria will: recruit

28,000 add

£82m

to the regional economy

Source: University of Cumbria Business Plan (August 2008) and AMION Consulting Economic Appraisal (September 2008)

Jim Buchanan, Leader, Cumbria County Council

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Creating academic excellence The Agency’s vision is to ensure the Northwest is recognised as a globally significant region for pioneering teaching and research of world-wide significance. To support this aim, working with HEFCE in 2004 the Agency made a major £34 million investment to support the merger of the Victoria University of Manchester and UMIST.

The investment significantly increased the number of degree courses, helping to create an institution with over 35,500 students and a turnover of £684 million. The University of Manchester is now the UK’s largest university, and one of the country’s major research universities, rated third in the UK in terms of ‘research power’ behind only Oxford and Cambridge. Since 2004, total research expenditure has increased by 40% to £375 million.

Responding to economic crises In 2001, the Foot and Mouth epidemic had a severe impact on the region's rural economy, with Cumbria alone experiencing over half the cases in the UK. Forecasts estimated a drop in GDP of £270 million as a direct result of the crisis, with over 12,000 jobs at risk.

The NWDA provided immediate short-term investment for Northwest businesses and communities affected by the crisis. However, given the severity of the impact, a stepchange was required not only to help rural communities recover, but to also ensure they were stronger than before.

By listening closely to the needs of rural businesses and communities, and working with local authorities in Cheshire, Cumbria and Lancashire, the Agency led the development of Rural Renaissance, a longterm strategy to build a more adaptable and competitive rural economy.

With a strong focus on diversification, developing skills and strengthening the tourism sector, over six years the plan helped to create 8,750 jobs and safeguard a further 8,700 jobs. It also helped to establish over 1,000 businesses, assist a further 14,500 businesses and levered in over £63 million of investment, £50 million of which was from the private sector. In Cheshire, the programme levered in £4 from the public and private sector for every £1 invested by the NWDA.

"We are incredibly grateful for the NWDA’s support following Foot & Mouth. It wasn’t just about providing us with funding; it was based on helping our business grow and develop, and we’re stronger as a result.”

A £430,000 investment towards a wider support package was put in place by the NWDA to help Furness College broker a specialist training programme. This had a

8

Through Rural Renaissance, the NWDA has: created or safeguarded almost

17,500

jobs

levered

£63m

investment

Caroline Watson, partner at Yew Tree Farm, Coniston

Addressing redundancy challenges One of the most important roles for the Agency is to react quickly to specific, and immediate, economic challenges. When BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness announced 720 shipbuilding redundancies in 2004, the Agency moved swiftly to help retain the UK’s only centre of expertise in nuclear submarine design and construction.

As the main driver of the local economy, it was also vital to ensure employees had the necessary skills to secure future submarine contracts for the area.

In the 2008 World’s Top Universities, Manchester is currently placed 40th, moving up the ranking by 8 places in just one year, more than any other university in the top 100. By 2015, it aims to be among the top 25.

strong focus on engineering, procurement, cost management and leadership skills, as well as enhancing the specialist skills required for nuclear submarine building.

The support package enabled BAE Systems to rapidly increase productivity on the £3 billion Astute submarine project, reducing overheads by about a quarter in under 3 years. As a result, the Ministry of Defence increased its order from 1 to 3 submarines, safeguarding 850 specialist jobs for the area.

NWDA support has: safeguarded

850

specialist jobs

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Advancing nuclear expertise A world pioneer of nuclear energy, the Northwest is home to one of the world’s largest concentrations of nuclear facilities and expertise. With West Cumbria employing a quarter of the UK’s total nuclear workforce, the area was the natural location for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), created by the Government in 2004.

To ensure the region capitalised on the major opportunities this presented to remain at the forefront of nuclear expertise, the Agency led a major drive to prepare the groundwork for the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, based in Cumbria.

Helping to ensure that the UK nuclear industry and its supply chain has a suitably skilled workforce to deal with the current and future nuclear programme, the facility is delivering a national framework for education, training and skills across the sector. Since its launch in 2008, the Academy is already having a significant impact across the sector, having introduced key industry training standards and developing and delivering foundation degrees and almost 500 National Vocational Qualifications to date.

Working closely with the NDA, West Lakes Renaissance and Sellafield Ltd, the Agency provided £6 million

investment for the Academy’s flagship arm, the £20 million Energus facility.

Completed in 2009, the facility has already levered in £9 million public and private sector investment and will play a vital role in attracting and retaining skilled young people within the sector.

“The NWDA understands our industry. Its support to our sector and to the economy has been invaluable.”

Mike Tynan, Chief Executive, Westinghouse UK

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Place Improving the region’s image and its quality of life is a key factor in encouraging business investment, driving the visitor economy and enhancing the region as a place to live and work. Over the past ten years, the Agency has supported a number of coordinated regeneration programmes, key infrastructure projects and marketing campaigns to improve the destinations, products and experiences we offer to both visitors and those living in the Northwest.

Transforming East Manchester

NWDA investment in Ancoats will:

In 2002, the NWDA undertook England’s largest Compulsory Purchase Order – the first ever by an RDA – to regenerate scores of derelict cotton mills in Ancoats into a thriving business and residential area fit for the 21st century, whilst preserving its rich architectural heritage.

create

Working closely with New East Manchester URC, the Agency is leading the transformation of Ancoats into a vibrant urban village, reversing a decline of several decades. By 2013, the Agency’s investment will have created 1,800 residential properties, 60,000 square metres of commercial floorspace and 1,900 new jobs, levering in private sector investment of £330 million against a public sector investment of £72 million.

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An interim evaluation* of the project showed that by February 2008, the Agency’s investment had supported a 22% rise in employment for the area, levering in £126 million private sector investment. The evaluation also showed that without the Agency’s investment and leadership, the project would not have happened.

“The NWDA’s long-term commitment to the future of Ancoats is proving vital in bolstering the area’s fortunes in very challenging economic circumstances.”

Alan Burke, Executive Director, Ask Developments *Ancoats Regeneration Programme: Evaluation Report (URS Corporation, February 2008)

1,800 1,900

properties

create

jobs

lever

£330m

private sector investment

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Supporting major events Building on the major success of Manchester’s 2002 Commonwealth Games, in 2004 the NWDA became the first RDA to launch a Major Events Strategy, positioning the Northwest as a world-leading destination for hosting major events.

As a result, the region has since attracted a prestigious line-up of events, including the FINA World Swimming Championships; Turner Prize; European Capital of Culture 2008; Manchester International Festival; and for five consecutive years, the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester. All of which have netted £150 million for the Northwest economy in the last 5 years.

The Northwest’s credentials as a leading sporting region were strengthened by Manchester holding its biggest year of international sport in 2008, attracting over 317,000 visitors to the city and generating £23 million of net economic impact to the Manchester area alone. The groundbreaking events held as part of ‘Year of World Sport’ resulted in the city being crowned the world’s top Sport City in November 2008, ahead of Melbourne, Berlin, Doha, Moscow and New York.

The Major Events Strategy has: generated

£150m for the regional economy

Securing Blackpool’s future The Agency has played a key role in bringing local and regional partners together to identify economic priorities and ensure these are delivered, particularly in areas with the most acute economic needs where there is a strong case to encourage investment.

With Blackpool now the 12th most deprived local authority in the UK, it is clear that serious and concerted effort is required to secure the town’s future. With partners ReBlackpool URC, Blackpool Borough Council and GONW, the Agency led a series of initiatives to spearhead the coordinated regeneration of the town. This includes the development of the Blackpool Masterplan and the creation of the Blackpool Task Force, which will agree a number of long-term solutions to transform the town’s economy.

As a result, the town secured private sector investment for the £220 million Talbot Gateway civic and cultural quarter.

The Agency itself has provided a range of support to attract investment and increase visitor numbers to the resort. An £8 million investment has secured the Second Gate site for comprehensive redevelopment including the site for the new Blackpool & the Fylde further education college, while almost £11 million of NWDA and ERDF investment has paved the way for the remodelling of the Central Seafront and the creation of a Blackpool Tower Festival Headland, designed to accommodate a diverse range of events and up to 20,000 people.

"The Agency has a very good understanding of Blackpool's economy and what's needed to drive it forward. They are leading a proactive approach to the town’s regeneration, particularly in helping to identify priorities and attract private sector investment."

Steve Weaver, Chief Executive, Blackpool Borough Council

Delivering The Northern Way The Northern Way was launched in 2004 by a coalition of partners across the North, led by the three northern RDAs (NWDA, Yorkshire Forward and One North East).

It exists to change perceptions about the 'North/South divide', influence policy and delivery, and pool expertise and resources

across the North. It has played a critical role in addressing transport bottlenecks (such as the ‘Manchester Hub’), and in delivering the £15 million Northern Innovation Programme to create new markets in areas such as energy technology and printable electronics.

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Regenerating Liverpool Working closely with Liverpool Vision, The Mersey Partnership and Liverpool City Council, coordinated NWDA support has led to the transformation of Liverpool’s waterfront and commercial district. The delivery of a number of major infrastructure projects is ensuring the city inherits longlasting economic benefits as a result of its Capital of Culture status in 2008. The result is a vastly expanded city economy, with investor demand driving growth faster than any other regional city in the UK. Through the creation of Liverpool Commercial District, the Agency played a major role in helping to improve the city’s commercial environment and to encourage private sector investment. By 2007, this vision had successfully created or safeguarded 1,500 new jobs in the city and levered in an economic impact of £56 million against an Agency investment of £7 million. Projections estimate this figure will increase to £289 million over the programme’s lifetime.

Along Liverpool waterfront, a number of important infrastructure schemes have taken shape over the past ten years, all of which would not have happened without Agency

12

support and leadership. A flagship development for 08, the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool is already generating a huge economic impact, contributing £200 million to the local economy a year with 700,000 people passing through its doors in the first 12 months alone. The development has already increased footfall to the Albert Dock by 50%.

Elsewhere on the waterfront, the £19 million Cruise Liner facility opened in September 2007, attracting international visitors to the city and helping to boost tourism revenue.

Construction of the new Museum of Liverpool is also nearing completion, alongside an extension to the Leeds Liverpool Canal. The link is expected to generate 200,000 extra visitors annually to Liverpool’s docks, with an additional tourism spend of £1.9 million, while the Museum itself is expected to become a major visitor attraction for the Northwest, generating 750,000 visitors each year upon its completion in 2010. The development will be complemented by a £120 million mixed use scheme, providing over 100,000 sq ft of retail and leisure facilities and almost 400 residential units.

"The NWDA has been a hugely significant factor in the transformation of Liverpool in the last 5 years. Their influence and leadership cannot be underestimated."

Phil Redmond, Chairman, National Museums Liverpool

During 2008 ACC Liverpool: contributed

£200m to the local economy

generated

700,000 visitors Source: Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool

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Marketing the region’s strengths In 2003, the Agency took strategic responsibility for tourism in the Northwest, reorganising support for the industry through the establishment of five sub-regional tourist boards to act as primary delivery partners. A Tourism Forum was also created to drive up the quality and range of facilities and attractions in the Northwest, as well as to market the region to an increasingly broad range of potential visitors.

Since then, the Agency has led or implemented a number of high-profile marketing campaigns to promote the region as a location to visit, live, work and invest in.

By 2007, the £16 million Regional Marketing Programme had generated £119 million in tourism revenue for the Northwest, a figure which is expected to rise by £100 million year-on-year.

The step-change in the region’s image has since been evidenced by a unique MORI

tracking survey, showing that public perceptions and business leaders’ confidence in the region have significantly improved since 2001.

The Agency was a major supporter of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture bid and became an official partner in the 08 programme, playing a vital role in the planning and delivery of a number of highprofile events to place the city, and the Northwest, on the cultural map. The programme drove tourism to the city with 15 million people visiting Liverpool events or attractions during the year.

The Regional Marketing Programme has: generated

£119m in tourism revenue Source: independent evaluation by PricewaterhouseCoopers on behalf of BERR 2008-09

To maximise the benefits for the wider region, the Agency spearheaded complementary 08-themed programmes for each sub-region, which collectively attracted an additional 500,000 visitors and helped the overall economic impact of Capital of Culture top £800 million.

Creating quality environments Largely as a result of the Northwest’s industrial past, in 2002 the region was home to almost 20% of the UK’s brownfield land.

Recognising this as a key opportunity to create space for business, housing, employment and leisure opportunities, the Agency identified a number of sites as prime targets for regeneration.

In 2003, the NWDA invested in the first phase of Newlands, a large-scale programme delivered in conjunction with The Forestry Commission to transform over 400 hectares of brownfield land across the Mersey Belt. With the scheme making a

significant impact in delivering quality environments in which to live, work and visit and invest, the NWDA has since invested in a second phase to extend the programme across the whole Northwest.

The Agency’s wider approach to tackle derelict land for new and innovative uses has already brought almost 13,000 hectares of land back into use, an area larger than the city of Manchester. Once complete, the Newlands programme will increase this total by a further 920 hectares.

“The Newlands investment in Bidston Moss acted as a catalyst for real change to a prominent area in Wirral.

It’s a good example of successful partnership working between the NWDA and local communities.”

Steve Maddox, Chief Executive, Wirral Borough Council

Connecting the region Launched in 2004, Project ACCESS was developed to promote the business benefits of broadband and increase its take-up across Cumbria and North Lancashire, where poor availability of affordable, highspeed telecommunication services had previously limited the growth of businesses.

The NWDA’s £20 million investment enabled telecoms company Thus (formerly Your Communications) to create a high-speed network for both public and private sectors.

It also sought to raise awareness of the benefits of broadband to Cumbrian businesses, including increased productivity, improved communication, and greater customer responsiveness.

As a direct result of the programme, business adoption of broadband in Cumbria and North Lancashire has risen from 27% to over 75% -12% higher than the UK average.

Total broadband coverage in the area has increased from 30% to 99%.

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“The NWDA was quick to respond to the recession and has offered practical support to the region’s businesses. Without it the region would be in a weaker position.”

“The Agency understands the needs of small business in the region and has led the region in responding to the downturn.”

Damian Waters, Regional Director, CBI North West

Colin Daniels, Chief Executive, Northwest Chamber of Commerce

“The team approach, brought together through the NWDA, ultimately serves the interests of the region most evenly.”

“The NWDA has been intrinsic to the renaissance of the Northwest and its business leaders can clearly identify the Agency's achievements.”

Len Collinson, Chair, Private Sector Partners

“The key difference which the NWDA makes is bringing the private and public sectors together to deliver priorities that make a significant impact on the NorthWest economy. MediaCityUK is a notable example.”

Paul Lee, Chairman, North West Business Leadership Team

14

Darrell Mathews, North West Regional Director, Institute of Directors

To find out more about the work of the Northwest Regional Development Agency visit:

www.nwda.co.uk

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The Board Robert Hough DL LLB - Chairman

Previous Chairmen

Vanda Murray OBE – Deputy Chair

Lord Terry Thomas (1999 - 2002) Bryan Gray CBE DL (2002 -2009)

Peter Allen MBE Prof John Brooks

Previous Board

Joe Dwek CBE David Brockbank (2004 – 2007)

Peter Hensman

Maggie Chadwick (1998 – 2001)

Dave McCall

Neville Chamberlain CBE (2001 – 2004)

Cllr Tony McDermott MBE

Cllr Mike Doyle JP (1998 – 2002) John Dunning CBE JP (1998 – 2004)

Cllr John Merry CBE

Felicity Goodey CBE DL (1998 – 2002)

Anne Selby

Prof Sir Martin Harris CBE DL (2001 – 2008) Clive Jeanes OBE (1998 – 2003)

Brenda Smith

Robert Johnston (2002 – 2005)

Lord Peter Smith

Cllr Dr Pauleen Lane CBE (2001 – 2007)

Dr John Stageman Cllr Susan Williams

Cllr Richard Leese CBE (1998 – 2003) Alan Manning (1998 – 2003) Dennis Mendoros OBE (1998 – 2004) Prof John Moverley OBE (2004 – 2007)

Steven Broomhead – Chief Executive

Dr Fred Ridley – (1998 – 2001) Cllr Marie Rimmer CBE (2002 – 2008) Kath Reade (1998 – 2002) Judy Robinson (1998 - 2001) James Ross (1998 - 2001) Anil Ruia OBE JP LLB ACA (2001 – 2007) Cllr Mike Storey CBE (2001 – 2007) Prof Maureen Williams (2002 – 2008)

Previous Chief Executive Mike Shields (1999 - 2002)

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This document is available in large print, braille, audio tape and the following languages; Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Somali, Urdu and Hindi.

Please contact the Marketing Department on 01925 400 100

Renaissance House, Centre Park, Warrington, WA1 1QN Tel: +44 (0)1925 400 100 Fax: +44 (0)1925 400 400 www.nwda.co.uk www.enw.co.uk/visit www.enw.co.uk/invest Printed on Take 2 Offset, made from 100% recycled fibres, sourced entirely from post consumer waste

June 2009 NWDA j10-02