Global engineering, management and development consultancy Mott MacDonald has joined The Northern Powerhouse Partnership (NPP). The consultancy will provide insight and expertise to the group to support the creation and delivery of a northern powerhouse that plays a key role in the UK’s economic recovery and provides positive social outcomes for all.
The NPP is an independent body that was launched in September 2016 to represent the voice of business and civic leaders across the north of England. It was established to encourage new policy ideas aimed at improving quality of life, economic regeneration, and to promote the north as a place to work, study, live and invest.
Mott MacDonald fully supports this ambition and the government’s levelling up agenda, which has synergies with its own commitment to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything it does. The consultancy has a large physical presence in major cities across the north of England, in Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds where it is an anchor employer. In fact, nearly a third of its 7500 UK staff are located across the north of England, working on ambitious projects aimed at promoting quality of life in the north, growth and economic opportunities, and climate resilience across the region.
In its joint venture with BAM Nuttall, Mott MacDonald completed phase one of the Leeds flood alleviation scheme and is now delivering phase two which will help protect 1,048 homes and 474 businesses. The JV has also recently completed work on the Hull flood defence scheme to protect residents in 113,000 homes.
To support the UK’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 ambition to build back greener, Mott MacDonald recently developed a masterplan for the UK’s first ever multi-modal hydrogen transport hub in Tees Valley for the UK Department for Transport. The consultancy has set out its own detailed 12-point plan on how it plans to reach net zero by 2040. Mott MacDonald was also first-in its class to be independently certified as carbon neutral and, having reduced its global carbon footprint by 45% per employee over the last five years, is on track to reduce the absolute figure by a further 25% by 2024.
Mott MacDonald is also collaborating with Network Rail, Transport for the North, Department for Transport and HS2 to assess and develop the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail programme which will better connect the major cities of the north, promote sustainable transport and drive economic growth. The consultancy is also working with Network Rail and HS2 to prepare Crewe for the arrival of HS2 Phase 2A and provide improved connectivity between several UK regions.
Ken Norbury, managing director of Mott MacDonald’s UK buildings and infrastructure business said: “With our established presence across the north of England and our deep understanding of infrastructure development and what is required to improve connectivity and resilience, means we are well placed to have input to the socio-economic future of the North and its role within the UK and global economy.”
Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “Mott MacDonald brings a wealth of expertise on some of the North’s most critical priorities, including transport infrastructure and decarbonisation.
“With decades of experience in the engineering sector, we’re looking forward to working together to drive forward the Northern Powerhouse agenda, raising productivity and rebalancing the UK economy.”