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North East Northern Powerhouse insight: Charlie Hoult

Here at Bdaily, we’ve been on a mission to increase understanding of the government’s Northern Powerhouse initiative.

Whilst awareness of the phrase has built since George Osborne first spoke of the need for ‘building a Northern Powerhouse’ two years ago, growing consciousness has not necessarily produced greater understanding.

Over the last three months we’ve been engaging with leading business figures to help gauge the general feeling towards the initiative. Our in-depth series will soon reach a climax with an interview with the Northern Powerhouse minister himself, James Wharton, who has reacted to our findings.

However, before our business survey culminates we present the views of Charlie Hoult. Tech entrepreneur and MD of business park Hoults Yard, Charlie also chairs Dynamo, the NE IT network.

Dynamo’s next event, Dynamo 16, will feature a host including keynote speakers include Dame Stephanie Shirley, Alex Depledge, founder of Hassle.com and Nick Bell, Vice President of Content at Snapchat and the Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy Ed Vaizey MP.

Hi Charlie, what does the Northern Powerhouse mean to you?

This is all about population - a big number of consumers and skilled workforce - all operating in close proximity. (Remember Silicon Valley is 350 miles long and both Leeds and Manchester are much closer to Newcastle!).

And this concept is about us working together on what best we can combine on. Transport, skills, innovation. There is strength in depth in the North of England. And chief of it all pride and confidence to put us on the map!

Are there signs of the Northern Powerhouse starting to bear fruit in the region?

Yes. There is noise. And lots of action behind the scenes. Pat Ritchie and Patrick Melia are doing a great job. Nick Forbes is finding his stride. Working across our North East region but also coordinating with the M62 authorities.

Has the government done enough to convince you of its commitment to Osborne’s vision?

I think it’s less about what the government has done. It’s about us in the North directing our own destiny. ‘Leading not pleading’.

We need to hit Westminster hard with the facts about how under-funded the North is per head of population compared to London, the South East and Scotland.

It’s really a joint vision with Michael Heseltine’s No Stone Unturned report, Bernstein pushing from Manchester - with Osborne hanging his hat on it. Good on him!

Transport improvement is intrinsic to the Northern Powerhouse. Do you believe that spending billions of infrastructure will improve Northern productivity?

We have years of under-investment in transport - roads, rail, city bus routes. We need a strategic approach to connectivity. Digital infrastructure comes high on my list of priorities - faster the better.

Does the North East need a mayor? If so, who should it be?

A mayor is good. But with wider powers and a wider cabinet than currently defined. All elected directly and not through the councils.Who should it be? We need caucuses not secret party nominees.

I would love to see Alan Milburn, because he knows Westminster and the Labour Party machine. I would love an upset like Ruth Davidson has created in the Scottish Borders.

Will the Northern Powerhouse be realised in the North East?

Yes! It is the most positive agenda seen in the North for years. The hype has pushed things far - and is likely to cause disappointments as you can’t please all the people when delivering an ill-defined promissory vision. But it’s the right thing to focus on and bring ideas to!

Thanks Charlie.

Look out for our series roundup next week as we present an exclusive inetrview with Northern Powerhouse Minister James Wharton.

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