The North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) has published a new paper setting out the principles needed to support stronger collaboration between business and the public sector.

It highlights the vital relationship between thriving businesses and successful places and makes the case for a stronger business voice in shaping place-based policy and economic development.

It was developed together with public and private sector senior leaders and partners from right across the region.

Paul Corcoran, founder of Agent and a BusinessCloud Northern Leader, helped to lead the work.

He said: “Our research, co-delivered with Helm Partners, highlighted the increasing need and growing appetite for better-connected, structured, and considered engagement between public and private sector partners.

“Co-design should never be an afterthought – rather a crucial part of how we bring leaders’ expertise and valuable intelligence together to shape impactful policies and key decision making.”

Chris Woodroofe, chair of NWBLT and managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “Businesses need places just as places need business.

“When public and private sectors work together effectively, we can design better policy and deliver stronger outcomes for communities and the economy.”

NWBLT brings together leaders of national and international businesses with substantial commitments and interests in the North West of England.