The Leeds City Region has appointed KPMG to advise on its structure, remit and the delivery of investment decision-making.
The government granted pilot status to the Leeds city region last year in a move which creates a formal partnership between the 11 constituent local authorities. It offers the opportunity for greater local decision-making relating to spending on transport, skills, innovation and housing. The goal is to improve the area’s economic performance, prosperity and the quality of life for those who live and work in the city region.
Iain Moffatt, Senior Partner at KPMG in Leeds, said:
“Playing a role in making our area the best it can be is exciting, so we are delighted to be involved in the Leeds city region pilot. This pioneering partnership stands to benefit the area through integrated, local decision-making in some key spending areas.
“As well as advising the board of the Leeds city region in its embryonic stage, I look forward to helping to achieve tangible connectivity between public and private sector organisations, which is sure to prove invaluable in maximising the potential impact of the initiative.”
Iain Hasdell, KPMG’s Leeds based UK Head of Local and Regional Government, said:
“As we have reason to hope the start of economic recovery might be upon us it’s a great time to be putting the requisite building blocks for accelerated economic development in place. The Leeds city region pilot represents growth ambition and puts the area on a similar path to that followed in successful city regions such as Chicago, Stuttgart, Malmo and Zurich where the GDP per head of their respective populations has been significantly enhanced.
“Our advice to the Leeds city region board broadly relates to helping them to deliver on their objective to grow the city region economy by £21bn by 2016. More specifically, we will offer guidance on governance matters; about which forms of finance to use to achieve their objectives; and how best to make their investment decisions.”
Andrew Carter, Chair of the Leeds city region board:
“As we work hard to drive recovery and deliver economic growth in the city region it is important that we have in place the best possible governance structures for the responsibilities we will exercise. We are delighted to have appointed KPMG, with its track record and experience, to support the Board in achieving this intention.”