Photo: Jennifer Wood pictured next to Tom Riordan as well as other business leaders from across the North.
The Chair of York and North Yorkshire’s Business Board has called on the Government’s first envoy dedicated to Northern growth to back the region.
Jennifer Wood joined other Business Board leaders from across the North for their first meeting with Tom Riordan, who was appointed into the new role late last year.
The Department for Business and Trade organised the meeting, billed as a high-level roundtable focused on the Northern Powerhouse in Leeds just over a week ago.
Tom Riordan, who sits with Chancellor Rachel Reeves weekly, chaired the meeting and quizzed the business leaders to ensure challenges heard in Westminster matched with their assessments on the ground.
During the meeting, they discussed how unlocking access to finance, improving the access to skills, addressing barriers to innovation and technology will help to improve productivity levels and unlock growth across the regions.
After the meeting Jennifer Wood, who is the co-founder of O&3 Limited as well as the chair of our region’s Business Board, said:
“The Government is looking at the North to drive growth, so it’s fundamental that we take our seat around tables like this to shape these plans.
“I feel positive about the future when we have someone like Tom Riordan sitting with the Chancellor every week, there to make sure the North is part of the conversation.
“From our strengths in manufacturing and the visitor economy to our global edge in food and farming innovation, engineering biology, and clean energy, we are showcasing a region that is ready for serious investment.”
York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority will continue to showcase the region’s potential for investment at various events, with a dedicated pavilion at UKREIIF in May and later in the year, Mayor David Skaith will join his colleagues on the Great North India Trade Mission.