Northern leaders have unveiled ambitious plans for a major investment summit designed to propel the region's economy onto the global stage and generate a potential multibillion-pound windfall.
A Unified Push for Northern Prosperity
The Great North Investment Summit has been announced by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, who chairs The Great North partnership. This coalition of northern mayors was formed to harness the collective power and profile of the region, drawing inspiration from the iconic Great North Run, whose founder Sir Brendan Foster is backing the new initiative.
The summit is a direct response to calls from business and civic leaders for a dedicated platform to promote the North's economic potential to international investors. It will be held in Leeds on Monday 18th May 2026 at Leeds Dock, strategically scheduled for the day before the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) begins in the same city.
Showcasing "Pipeline-Ready" Opportunities
Organisers state the event will showcase concrete, "pipeline-ready investment opportunities" across the North's key growth sectors. The bold ambition is for the summit to act as a catalyst, with the potential to add more than £100bn to the UK economy.
Beyond hard economics, the summit will also aim to highlight the region's unique selling points to investors, including its creativity, world-renowned culture, and high quality of life. Further details regarding the agenda and speakers are expected to be released in the coming months.
Mayors Seize Control of Economic Destiny
Kim McGuinness framed the summit as a pivotal moment for regional self-determination. "We are seizing control of the North's economic destiny, ending the days where our regions are overlooked," she said. "By establishing the Great North Investment Summit, we are creating the first ever forum dedicated to promoting the North of England collectively... As mayors, we are determined to bring jobs and opportunity to the communities we serve."
The announcement was made following a meeting of The Great North board at Everton FC's Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. The gathering included mayors Steve Rotheram (Liverpool City Region), Oliver Coppard (South Yorkshire), David Skaith (York and North Yorkshire), and Councillor Hans Mundry, representing Cheshire and Warrington.
Nathan Spencer, Managing Director at UKREiiF, expressed strong support for the aligned goals. "The strategic alignment between what the North’s brilliant towns and cities wish to accomplish and what UKREiiF is trying to do is clear," he said, confirming the forum would host an enhanced Great North presence on the eve of its 2026 event.
