Liverpool City Council chief executive Ged Fitzgerald is taking part in the key session on the first morning of the UK Northern Powerhouse conference next week.
Cities across the Northern Powerhouse must have a say in shaping post-Brexit trade deals, the chief executive of Liverpool City Council says.
Ged Fitzgerald is taking part in the key session on the first morning of the UK Northern Powerhouse conference next week.
He will discuss with his counterparts across the region how the Northern Powerhouse can influence the economic and political landscape in the near future.
“We have long been stating the case to Government on how effective the North is already and can be in the future in boosting the whole of the UK economy,” said Mr Fitzgerald.
“Our region is fertile ground for investors with incredible opportunities combined with world-leading capabilities, assets and talent.
“We are proving time and time again how global in outlook we are, teaming with innovative businesses, creative and talented people in good locations.
“Now at this incredibly important time when we are debating the future direction of the UK as a trading nation it is crucial that the North is involved in helping to set the agenda.
“The Northern Powerhouse has to be able to help the Government in international trade negotiations to ensure that the deal that the UK gets with the EU and the rest of the world will benefit the North too – it can’t just be about London and the South East.”
Joining Mr Fitzgerald on the panel at Manchester Central on Tuesday, February 21, is Sir Howard Bernstein, CEO, Manchester City Council; Pat Ritchie, CEO, Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council; John Mothersole, CEO, Sheffield City Council; David Budd, Chair, Tees Valley Combined Authority; and Cllr Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council.
The conference will be held in Manchester Central on February 21 and 22 and is expected to attract more than 3,000 delegates over two days.