Last week I was at º£½ÇÊÓƵREiiF in Leeds to celebrate the launch of The Great North, and championing Landsec’s expanding role in one of the most exciting regions in the country: the North West. I can’t think of a better moment – or place – to be doing so.
Leeds is a great city that has proved what’s possible when ambition, partnership and investment align. At Landsec, we’ve seen that first-hand through our long-term involvement in Trinity Leeds and at White Rose. These projects reflect the kind of regeneration that delivers – commercially, socially, and sustainably.
And just across the Pennines, that same energy is now surging through the North West. From Liverpool to Salford to central Manchester, the region is redefining what 21st century growth looks like – rooted in place, driven by talent, and delivered through strong local leadership.
The Government has made clear that housing delivery and economic growth are national priorities. But if ministers are serious about these missions, then they need to back the places that are already delivering – and that starts with the North West.
Earlier this month, BBC Director-General Tim Davie made a compelling case in Salford for the role of public institutions in catalysing regional opportunity. There could be no better place to deliver that message. Salford is a living example of how creativity, innovation and civic ambition can combine to reshape a place for good.
The BBC’s footprint in Salford is vast – and growing. With 50% of its economic impact now outside London, the broadcaster’s contribution to regional growth is clear. But this isn’t just about the BBC. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when national institutions put their weight behind local vision – something the One Creative North group is advocating.
We’re seeing that same momentum across the North West. From the cultural energy of Manchester to the entrepreneurial spirit of Liverpool, this is a region defined not by its challenges but by its potential.
The old narrative of a place "left behind" doesn’t hold water anymore. That’s not to deny the very real challenges – there are still deep inequalities to address. But the direction of travel is clear.– This is a region on the up, powered by strong local leadership and a growing coalition of investors committed to doing things differently.
At Landsec, we’ve put our money where our mouth is. We’ve already invested over £1 billion across the North West – and we’re planning to triple that in the years ahead. Whether it’s bringing new life to the heart of Manchester through Mayfield, or helping transform MediaCity into a next-generation creative and digital powerhouse, we’re here for the long term.
Just last week, we reached a major milestone at Mayfield: appointing the main contractor for the first phase of development. This public-private partnership will deliver thousands of jobs, new homes, and a major injection into Greater Manchester’s economy. It’s the kind of bold, city-shaping regeneration the º£½ÇÊÓƵ needs more of.
Meanwhile at MediaCity, we welcomed Alice Webb as CEO earlier this month – a leader who helped bring the BBC to Salford in the first place. With Alice at the helm, MediaCity is poised to evolve beyond broadcast into a thriving hub for digital and media innovation.
This is how we supercharge Salford – and the North West more broadly.
Talent is here. Leadership is here. Investment is coming. What we need now is for government to keep pace. Research released by The Great North couldn’t make it any clearer; with the right investment, the region could grow the º£½ÇÊÓƵ economy by £118bn.
That means backing ambitious partnerships to accelerate housing delivery. It means investing in the infrastructure – like the long-awaited Liverpool-Manchester rail upgrade – that will unlock further growth. And it means giving local leaders the tools and powers to go faster and further through deeper devolution. The North West is ready. The ambition is real. The plans are deliverable.
At Landsec, we’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with this region and its people. In Leeds, we made that case loud and clear. Let’s hope the Government is listening.
- Mike Hood is chief operating officer at Landsec
