The North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) has strengthened its voice in Government by forming an affiliate partnership with Make UK.
The partnership with national body Make UK, which represents 20,000 manufacturers and whose main objective is to strengthen the UK’s industrial base, will further reinforce the NEAA’s capacity to champion the automotive sector and lobby on behalf of members.
The NEAA is an industry-led cluster group, established to support the economic sustainable growth and competitiveness of the sector in the North East of England. Launched in March 2015, now with over 330 cluster participants, the NEAA is the largest automotive cluster in the UK. It works on behalf of its members to deliver a structured voice for the North East automotive sector and benefits from strategic direction from an engaged Board, who are a network of industry leaders driving the NEAA’s strategy.
The NEAA sits on over 17 European, national and regional industry steering groups and is an increasingly powerful voice on behalf of the sector.
Paul Butler, said: “The NEAA’s aim is to build upon the region’s significant automotive capability and to firmly establish the North East as a true global automotive powerhouse. We want the region to be at the forefront of the Government’s strategy to ensure the technologies of tomorrow are designed, developed and manufactured in the UK.
“There is a real synergy between the NEAA and Make UK and much to be gained through collaboration. We can communicate the vital intelligence we gather from our membership back to Make UK to help strengthen our voice through Government. Our partnership with Make UK will add further benefit to our membership as we add another way of delivering information to wider stakeholders, lobbying industry needs, impacting and influencing Government policies and publicising regional capability.”
Make UK’s message to Government is that by backing UK manufacturing and its people, the outcome will be the strengthening of the UK’s industrial base, delivery of sustained, stable growth, a transition to a net-zero economy and the creation of resilient workplaces and workforces.
Dawn Huntrod, regional membership director, North at Make UK, said: “Make UK, the national body for UK manufacturing is delighted to be joining forces with the North East Automotive Alliance to ensure that UK manufacturing can thrive. The region is world renowned for its automotive industry and by working with the NEAA we can, together, strengthen our voice with national government.
“We’re excited to begin collaborating with NEAA across our collective areas that are vital to the success of the region’s manufacturing, from developing the workforce of tomorrow, delivering on the transition to net zero and to creating a strong industrial vision for the country.”