The Northern Powerhouse Partnership
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership is a UK business-led think tank and advocacy group founded in 2016 that convenes major corporations and civic leaders across Northern England to influence regional economic policy on connectivity, devolution, and education.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersNorthenden, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Northern Powerhouse Partnership does
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP) is a private, business-led think tank and advocacy organization founded in September 2016 and headquartered in Northenden, United Kingdom. It operates as a membership-based organization that convenes major corporations, civic leaders, and academic institutions across the North of England to influence regional economic policy. Its stated purpose is to close the North-South economic gap in productivity, connectivity, and educational attainment by advocating for three core priorities: connectivity (transport and digital infrastructure), devolution of powers to metro mayors and local leaders, and education and skills reform.
NPP's products are non-technological in nature. Its core offerings consist of policy research publications (e.g., the Northern Powerhouse Independent Economic Review, State of the Humber 2026, Rotherham's Economic Transformation, decarbonisation and innovation reports), news and opinion content distributed via its website and social channels, direct policy advocacy to national government ministers and regional metro mayors, and a corporate membership program. The organization does not develop proprietary software, AI systems, or APIs. Its research output relies on in-house policy analysis (notably through Chief Economist Andrew McPhillips) combined with co-development partnerships, such as the State of the Humber 2026 report produced with member firm Arup.
The business model is subscription/recurring membership revenue. Approximately 14 major corporate members — including Arup, Mace, Siemens, Drax, Manchester Airports Group (MAG), Arcadis, Addleshaw Goddard, ABP, AtkinsRealis, National Grid, Mott MacDonald, EY, Rolls-Royce SMR, and Muse — pay annual fees to access research, contribute to publications, and participate in policy advocacy. Specific fee tiers are not publicly disclosed. Governance is provided by Co-Presidents former Chancellor George Osborne and former Treasury Minister Lord Jim O'Neill, Chair Baroness Julie Elliott, and Chief Executive Henri Murison.
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Northern Powerhouse Partnership
- Legal name
- Northern Powerhouse Partnership
- Website
- https://northernpowerhousepartnership.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Northern Powerhouse Partnership is a UK business-led think tank and advocacy group founded in 2016 that convenes major corporations and civic leaders across Northern England to influence regional economic policy on connectivity, devolution, and education.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Advocacy and Think Tank Services
- NAICS
- Business Associations (81391), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)
Keywords
Where The Northern Powerhouse Partnership is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Northenden
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: The organization operates as a business-led membership organization, with companies paying to become members. Member companies include Arup, Mace, Siemens, Drax, MAG, Arcadis, Addleshaw Goddard, ABP, AtkinsRealis, National Grid, Mott MacDonald, EY, Rolls-Royce SMR, and others. Revenue appears to come from annual membership fees paid by businesses and organizations seeking to influence and contribute to Northern economic policy.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership is a business-led think tank and advocacy organization for the North of England. It operates a corporate membership program, conducts policy research and produces publications (e.g., State of the Humber 2026, Rotherham's Economic Transformation, Decarbonisation reports), and advocates directly to national and local government on three core priorities: connectivity, devolution, and education. Its members include major corporations such as Arup, Mace, Siemens, Drax, National Grid, EY, and Rolls-Royce SMR.
Product overview
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership is a business-led think tank and advocacy organization (not a technology product company). Its offerings consist of policy research publications, news and opinion content, advocacy for the Northern Powerhouse agenda, and a membership program connecting business and civic leaders across the North of England.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Membership Program A business and civic leadership membership program for large corporations and organizations across the North of England, including Arup, Mace, Siemens, Drax, MAG, Arcadis, Addleshaw Goddard, ABP, AtkinsRealis, National Grid, Mott MacDonald, EY, and Rolls-Royce SMR. Members participate in regional economic policy advocacy, research, and direct engagement with government.
- Policy Research Publications
- Policy Advocacy Services Advocacy services promoting the Northern Powerhouse agenda on three core priorities — connectivity, devolution, and education — to national government, metro mayors, and local authorities, driving economic growth and productivity in the North of England.
Quantifiable outcome
- Research suggests £1 trillion GVA prize potential for the North if growth potential is realized between 2035-2050
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use The Northern Powerhouse Partnership
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- MusemajorMuse joined NPP in 2026 as a member, bringing experience in delivering complex, long-term regeneration projects. Muse is a leading nationwide placemaker with over 40 years of experience working in partnership with the public sector. The company contributes expertise in infrastructure-led regeneration, masterplanning, and delivery models that align transport investment with commercial development.
- Durham University Business SchoolcoreNPP signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Durham University Business School in early 2026, creating a framework for collaboration supporting rigorous research, stronger policy development, and long-term economic growth across the North. The agreement formalizes a relationship with DUBS contributing analytical expertise to NPP's work on innovation, productivity, and regional economic performance. Early focus areas include understanding how regional value is created and retained, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and creating conditions for higher growth and better jobs.
- ArupcoreArup partnered with NPP on 'The State of the Humber 2026' report, providing economic analysis and technical expertise. Arup is a global built environment consultancy providing advisory and technical expertise. The partnership produces economic research reports that inform policy decisions across the North.
- National GridcoreNational Grid joined NPP as a member in late 2025 to strengthen joint efforts to power the North's growth and skills future. Through the Great Grid Upgrade, National Grid is investing to increase network capacity and connect more clean power, including through major projects such as Eastern Green Link 2 and Yorkshire GREEN.
- Sellafield LtdmajorSellafield Ltd partners with NPP on education and skills initiatives. With an annual £2.3 billion budget and an 11,000-strong workforce, Sellafield is investing heavily in education and skills infrastructure including a Project Academy, UTC facilities, and the National College for Nuclear Northern Hub. Currently has over 1,100 learners on various schemes.
- MorrisonsminorMorrisons CEO Rami Baitiéh has publicly supported NPP's Northern Powerhouse Rail initiatives, highlighting the importance of improved connectivity for businesses across the North.
- Bruntwood and Bruntwood SciTechminorCEO Chris Oglesby has publicly supported NPP's Northern Powerhouse Rail commitments, emphasizing that reliable connectivity is fundamental to a modern productive economy.
- Manchester Airports Group (MAG)minorCEO Ken O'Toole has publicly supported Northern Powerhouse Rail, highlighting that placing Manchester Airport at the heart of the NPR network will help high-value industries thrive and attract investors.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Onward: Centre-right UK think tank focused on levelling up, regional growth, and devolution. Closely comparable to NPP in policy agenda and political positioning, with similar publication and advocacy model.
- New Local: UK membership network and think tank for community-led organisations and local authorities. Comparable membership-supported advocacy model with research and policy influence on place-based economic policy.
- IPPR North: Northern arm of the Institute for Public Policy Research, producing progressive policy research on the North of England's economy, devolution, and public services. Closely comparable remit to NPP from a left-of-centre perspective.
- Centre for Cities: UK urban-economics think tank producing data-driven research on city productivity, transport, and devolution. Highly comparable to NPP as a business-facing research and advocacy body focused on UK regional economic performance.
- Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES): UK charity and think tank focused on local economic strategy, community wealth building, and devolution. Directly comparable as a mission-driven advocacy and research organization engaging local authorities and civic leaders.
- Northern Health Science Alliance: North-of-England partnership of leading universities, NHS trusts, and industry focused on health innovation and economic growth. Comparable as a North-focused, business-and-institution-backed advocacy and research alliance.
- UK2070 Commission: Independent commission investigating spatial inequalities across the UK and making recommendations on rebalancing. Comparable as a research-led advocacy body focused on reducing UK regional disparities, although a project rather than ongoing membership org.
- Localis: UK think tank focused on devolution, localism, and place-based policy. Comparable membership-supported model with research and advocacy on regional economic policy.
Emerging players
- Resolution Foundation: UK economic and social policy think tank focused on living standards and inequality. Comparable as a high-profile UK research and advocacy outfit, though with a broader, less regionally-focused remit than NPP.
- SMF (Social Market Foundation): Centrist UK think tank producing cross-cutting economic and public-policy research. Comparable as a non-partisan research and advocacy outfit, though with national rather than regional focus.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership social profiles
Digital presenceThe Northern Powerhouse Partnership financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Northern Powerhouse Partnership
What does The Northern Powerhouse Partnership do?
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership is a business-led think tank and advocacy organization for the North of England. It operates a corporate membership program, conducts policy research and produces publications (e.g., State of the Humber 2026, Rotherham's Economic Transformation, Decarbonisation reports), and advocates directly to national and local government on three core priorities: connectivity, devolution, and education. Its members include major corporations such as Arup, Mace, Siemens, Drax, National Grid, EY, and Rolls-Royce SMR.
Is The Northern Powerhouse Partnership a public or private company?
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was The Northern Powerhouse Partnership founded?
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Northern Powerhouse Partnership based?
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership is headquartered in Northenden, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Northern Powerhouse Partnership make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Fees.
Who are The Northern Powerhouse Partnership's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Onward, New Local, IPPR North, Centre for Cities, Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), Northern Health Science Alliance, UK2070 Commission and Localis. Emerging players are Resolution Foundation and SMF (Social Market Foundation).
Does The Northern Powerhouse Partnership have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Northern Powerhouse Partnership.
What industry is The Northern Powerhouse Partnership in?
The Northern Powerhouse Partnership's product category is Policy Advocacy and Think Tank Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAO, Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes. Its NAICS code is 81391 and its SIC code is 8600.