The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) was launched by HRH The Prince of Wales in 1989, following a joint initiative of Business in the Community and the Confederation of British Industry. The NWBLT brings together leaders of national and international businesses with substantial commitments and interests in the North West of England. A unique regional entity, funded entirely by our members, we work to exert our collective influence for the long term good of the region, economically, environmentally, culturally and socially.
Latest News
Next Forum meeting to take place at Bolton Octagon – 19 October 2017
The next meeting of the NWBLT’s Forum will take place at the Bolton Octagon Theatre on Thursday 19 October at 5pm for 5.30pm. The event will be a panel discussion focusing on how culture and creativity can contribute to learning and skills. The panel will include Fiona Gibson (past NWBLT member from Accenture and now Business Director at the Octagon), Robin Kemp (Ex BBC and now Head of Creative Development at Liverpool City Council) and Liz O’Neil (CEO of Z arts the NWBLT’s Lever Prize winner for 2017).
Iconic V&A Pop Art Prints exhibiting in Chester
One of the pre-eminent national collections of Pop Art prints, primarily from the 1960s, opened on 28th July at Chester’s former Library Building, featuring some of the most famous works from the genre.
The Victoria & Albert Museum’s ‘Pop Art in Print’ exhibition, presented by Chester Visual Arts and curated by the V&A, brings together, for the first time, an international collection of Pop graphics featuring artists Andy Warhol, Patrick Caulfield, Richard Hamilton, Allen Jones, Roy Lichtenstein and Ed Ruscha. The exhibition is free to enter.
NWBLT member, Richard Carter from BASF, welcomes “Be the Business”
NWBLT Productivity Task Force Chair, Richard Carter, welcomes the launch of ‘Be the Business’. Richard is managing director of BASF companies in the UK and Ireland. ‘Be the Business’, is a movement which will inspire businesses to be the best they can be, providing practical tools to assist them and be a catalyst for change.
‘Be the Business’ is the brainchild of the Productivity Leadership Group (PLG). Founded in 2015, the PLG is a group of some of the UK’s best performing and internationally recognised companies. Chaired by Sir Charlie Mayfield, chair of John Lewis, it was formed to address the under-performance of productivity in the UK.
Business support for academies reaches 600 appointments milestone
Increasing numbers of senior business leaders are choosing to give back to education by volunteering as non-executive directors (NEDs) or trustees of school academy chains. The not-for-profit Academy Ambassadors programme today announced that it had made its 600th appointment to an academy trust.
NWBLT are keen to support the Academy Ambassadors who provide a free, bespoke service matching business people and professionals with multi-academy trusts. The not-for-profit programme is funded by the Department for Education and was founded in 2013. The financial year 2016-17 saw an increase of 122% in the number of NEDs appointed to boards through Academy Ambassadors – 319 appointed in FY 2016-17, compared to 144 in FY 2015-16.
Digital innovation can deliver antidote to uncertainty – Juergen Maier
These are without doubt uncertain times – political volatility has hit fever pitch since the general election. We are still very unclear about so many facets of Brexit and what the future holds for business. Some indicators are flashing red – notably higher inflation, weaker consumer demand and domestic saving ratios edging lower.
It would be easy to think this is the time to retreat – or even become gloomy. I think quite the opposite. Now is the time for businesses, large and small, to unite and be determined not to let political instability derail Britain’s need to invest in new technologies and revitalise its industrial sectors. We are an innovation nation and must work hard to tell the story that the UK has the entrepreneurial spirit to lead a new digital industrial revolution.
NWBLT Chair joins Tech Trust Network
A ‘powerful’ new network of tech leaders will be championing the city’s digital sector. Influential leaders who have joined the Tech Trust Network – part of Manchester Tech Trust (MTT) – include Juergen Maier (NWBLT Chair and Siemens UK CEO), Pro-Manchester CEO John Ashcroft, Chairman of Urban Splash Tom Bloxham, the CEO of Allied London Michael Ingall and Chris Oglesby, CEO of Bruntwood.
On the investment side, the Network includes Simon Calver, Chairman of UK British Angels Association and Partner at BGF Ventures; Hugh Campbell, founder and managing partner of GP Bullhound; Stuart Marks, Chairman of corporate accelerator expert L Marks and Simon Thorpe, UK British Angel Association’s current ‘Angel of the Year.’
NWBLT host National Productivity Leadership Group’s meeting at MediaCityUK
The North West Business Leadership Team today hosted the National Productivity Leadership Group (PLG) chaired by Sir Charlie Mayfield, Chair of the John Lewis Partnership. The PLG is soon to have its formal launch and in advance of this the North West was given a valuable opportunity to showcase some of the excellent work being undertaken in this region.
This roundtable discussion was held at The Landing which is the technology enterprise incubator for high-growth small companies based in the heart of MediaCityUK.
NWBLT Member Mike Hulme celebrates opening of Alstom’s new Widnes site with Charity Bike Ride
To help celebrate the opening of the new Alstom Site in Widnes later this month and to raise funds for a local charity, a group of 18 cyclists are cycling from Alstom’s design office in Wolverhampton through to Widnes on 11th June 2017. This represents 90 miles in one day, which is a tough challenge – they hope to raise £3000 for Halton Haven Hospice
NWBLT Chair wins Science Leadership Award
The UK’s top business leaders have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to science and innovation. Professor Adrian Hayday FRS, of the Francis Crick Institute and King’s College London, and Juergen Maier, CEO of Siemens UK and NWBLT’s Chair, were both awarded the prestigious Business of Science Leadership Award, presented ahead of the second Business of Science Conference 2017.
Judges commended the strong business leadership of the winners, praising their ‘incredible contribution as inspirational leaders’ and the work they have done to actively engage and promote science at the highest level.
Statement of Support for Manchester
Our thoughts today are with all those who have suffered loss and personal tragedy as a result of the horrific attack at the Manchester Arena last night. We are proud of the community spirit demonstrated in the aftermath by the leaders and people of the great City of Manchester. We pledge to stand together with you in the weeks and months ahead.
